Scott Miller's album Citation is a solid collection of songs marked with a clear streak of nostalgia. The best songs have a wistful longing for another time and just the right amount of regret. In “Freedom is a Stranger,” for example, he reminisces about teenage love/sex, Springsteen on the radio, and the car he had in high school. It's not just his own past that concerns Miller, though. He also has a finely tuned appreciation for history. For example, the song “Say Ho,” in addition to being a rousing rocker, is also a biographical sketch of Sam Houston that would fit neatly into a school curriculum. And the track “The Only Road,” a tragic tale of lost love, is grounded by very specific references to World War II. In many other places on the album, Miller's references to trains and railways evoke a bygone era. Some songs, such as the satiric “8 miles per Gallon,” tackle topical issues, but Miller's focus is clearest when he's looking backward.

Musically, this is not the place to look for innovation or wild experimentation. Where Citation excels is well-played classic sounds of rock and country. The guitar work on the album is consistently well-done and the backing band is capable and easy on the ears. The arrangements are simple but pleasant, mostly guitar with occasional keyboards and some good harmonica. There is a nice variety of styles to the songs and the production is smooth without being overly slick. Overall, it's a worthy soundtrack to a summer barbecue, or a long road trip through the south, especially one that follows the railroad tracks.

--Rick Larsen