Dallas based singer-songwriter Ronnie Fauss returns with his sophomore LP Built to Break, which follows on the heels of 2012’s I’m Not the Man You Know. This time Fauss’ Americana tends more toward rock and roll than country, and he does it in stride. Much has been made of his late start as a solo musician, but Fauss has long been dabbling and honing his formidable songwriting and instrumention skills. Again his musical influences shine through – John Prine, Steve Earle, Bob Dylan are heard in the mix – but it is 90’s alt-country along the likes of the Old 97’s, Slobberbone, Whiskeytown, and Wilco that frame this gem of an album. Standouts on Built to Break include “Another Town”, “Eighteen Wheels” with Rhett Miller (Old 97’s), and the charming country duet “Never Gonna Last” with Jenna Paulette. – Written by SMarx
SIMILAR | Hayes Carll, Steve Earle, John Prine, Todd Snider, Townes Van Zandt