Natural Forces

iTunes Review

While Lyle Lovett may be at his best as a somber country-western balladeer, he is equally adept at upbeat gospel shouters, rolling New Orleans-styled ramblers, sarcastic rockers and novelty tunes of any style. He is that rare performer who can execute meticulously and yet sound soulful and impromptu. His own writing takes its time in coming and much of Natural Forces features the work of other writers, from his often-hailed fellow Texans Townes Van Zandt (the downcast “Loretta”) and Vince Bell (“Sun and Moon and Stars”) to Carolina’s David Ball (the sweet moody ballad, “Don’t You Think I Feel It Too”) to several co-writers, the sprightly pumping “It’s Rock and Roll” with Robert Earl Keen, the food-obsessed “Pantry” with April Kimble and the traditional jump blues, “Farmer Brown/ Chicken Reel.” With just the title track and “Empty Blue Shoes” credited to Lovett alone, Natural Forces still plays like a Lovett original, since he puts his unmistakable stamp on everything he sings.