James McMurtry/Bonnie Whitmore

Produced by John Mellencamp, singer-songwriter James McMurtry's 1989 debut, Too Long in the Wasteland, couldn’t be classified as bluegrass, but it did have a certain twang to it. And it announced that McMurtry, the son of writer Larry McMurtry, has a good knack for words. McMurtry has nurtured that sensibility ever since. His literary talents distinguish the songs on his most recent album, 2015's Complicated Game. The album commences with the twangy “Copper Canteen,” a song about hunting season that features McMurtry’s signature sneer and a plodding drumbeat. It sets the tone for the album, yet another solid effort from McMurtry, who has said the new album is mostly about relationships. (Niesel)