The Boulevard

There’s a blue-collar eloquence to Ty Stone’s music that makes him worthy of discovery beyond his native Michigan. The Boulevard testifies to his strengths as a singer/songwriter by capturing the heartache and resiliency of present-day Detroit with a sympathetic touch. In contrast with his 2009 debut, American Style, Stone’s sophomore release doesn’t worry about presenting him as a mainstream country artist. Here, Ty occupies a sweet spot between country, R&B, and heartland rock that suits his naturally eclectic style. His soulful vocals–by turns brash, suave, and poignant—bring out his lyrics' conversational poetry. Tracks like “Can’t Let On,” “Both of Us," and “Done Is Done” combine the tough and the tender in ways that recall vintage Seger and Springsteen. As befits a son of the Motor City, Stone fuses white and black musical traditions in the funkified “Money in the Mattress” and the gospel-drenched “Backslidin’.” The Boulevard hits its peak on the title track, an acoustic lament that links one couple’s troubles with their hometown's hard times.