Tom McElvain is the first artist to come along in a while with a passion for country music and a voice that sets him apart from the crowd. McElvain’s vocal tones are reminiscent of Jim Croce with a partial nasality that can be exploited at will. The debut offering is “TEXAS STORM” featuring the Texas Storm Band, and McElvain’s twelve self-penned cuts are Texas to the core. (McElvain reprises three of the studio cuts with acoustic versions) As he moves through different vocal registers, McElvain takes charge of his masterful melodies, creating a unique sound that has no current equal. The orchestration for this disc is typical for debut offerings in that it’s exploratory in nature and diverse from track to track. This album runs McElvain’s gamut from tender ballads to road-house rockers. The rhythms are contemporary and popular with younger fans as well as traditionalists. The songwriting on all the cuts is above par, with “What May Never Be” and “Desperate Measures” standing out as two of the best. Tom talks with the audience on track seven as he announces the beginning of the all-acoustic portion of the album. The unpolished tracks showcase McElvain’s voice in a clean setting, allowing you to enjoy the music much like a live show. This is an interesting and entertaining release right on through the blues jam on the final track. Get it today for only $13.99!