Allison Branan’s debut offering is a self-titled release (Platinum Plus Records) full of great country tunes that showcase her smooth vocal style. From the softer “Easier Than Walking Away” (Tassone) on which Branan’s voice leans toward a Helen Reddy comfort, to the jaunty “The Next Thing Smokin’” (Diffe, Morrison, Slate), the disc is a mixture of country tempos and rhythms. This Ben Sams production is exceptionally well orchestrated and engineered. Branan has done well in her debut. There are a couple of cuts that cry out to be played on the airwaves, and Branan does a fabulous job of covering Kohlman’s standard “Cry.” Executive producer and label chief Robert Metzger has a song (“Call To Me”) on the album that he co-wrote with Mitch Johnson. Branan’s performance is stellar, and I see little standing in the way of this song being a Contemporary Christian radio hit. The list of pickers is impressive and includes old friends Tony Migliore and Mike Severs. It’s impossible to have a bad release with those two around. The winning streak continues. Branan is a relative newcomer to the biz, but she has a bright future. Pearland, Texas can be proud, and you can be the next Allison Branan fan. Get the disc today for only $13.99!