The scratchy Dobro riff that kicks off "Why Is the Road So Long" pretty much sums up Eberhardt"s stripped-down, passionate, blues-inflected folk music. It"s an approach that worked wonders on his critically lauded Red House Records debut, 12 Songs of Good and Evil, and, if anything, it works even better this time out. It"s a concept album of sorts, and every song examines the borders that divide and keep people from those they love and the things they desire. It"s a vague enough idea and one that allows Eberhardt plenty of space to exercise his impressive songwriting skills. From the easy-groove-driven "Fix Your Blues" to the ominous voodoo blues of "Everybody Knows" (in which he conjures up the ghost of Chicago blues great Otis Rush), Eberhardt covers a fair amount of musical ground. When the journey is over, you"ll probably wish the road had been a bit longer. --Percy Keegan