The Province

Cameron Latimer makes country the way country used to be made before country became what '70s rock used to be except for all the God-thanking in the credits. Frequently punctuated by producer John Ellis' unapologetically weeping pedal steel, Latimer is also rattling the gate of the gilded palace of '60s California country that made Gram Parsons a latter-day legend. Highlights include the sweetly melodic "The Beach House" and "Gin Train," probably the most accessible radio hit here outside the hooky "High Lonesome." Loved the woozy, sleepy "Hayfield." An excellent record.

- Tom Harrison