THE great white hope for modern country music returns with his third album in as many years.

Simpson’s wonderful one-two opening salvo of records set the bar very high, blending a deep appreciation of country’s finest with a more progressive sensibility and a desire to blur the lines.

This third record isn’t quite the hoped-for classic, but it is a strong record that brings Simpson’s soul stirrings into the melting pot. Ostensibly a concept album written while homesick for his newborn son, this won’t be troubling the authors of parenting books. "Stay off the drugs" is a profound as it gets.

It is the music that will stand up, and Simpson and his crack band have created a big arena-friendly sound to complement his sturdy baritone that will go down well with a hot dog. The Dap-Kings, Grammy winners in their own right, steal the show here, with some exciting and incendiary horn work, especially on the closer Call To Arms. It will be fascinating to see where he takes his music next.