Once hailed by SPIN magazine as one of the “young riders of the bluegrass revolt,” Korby Lenker has gone on to become a multitalented singer/songwriter, short-story author, and even filmmaker. Recorded at Nashville's Dogwood Studios with coproducer Tim Lauer (who’s worked with Buck Owens, John Oates, and Kate Voegele), this self-titled collection features an impressive list of guest musicians who flesh out Lenker’s originals and his tasteful cover of Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold.” Drummers Dan Needham and Julian McDonough and bassist Anton Nesbitt steady the proceedings for Lauer and Lucas Leigh to provide keyboards and Jerry McPherson and Pat Buchanan to ring out the guitars. A modern classic rock sound dominates on “Hurts Me So” and “Lovers Are Fools” before a hard rock funk invades “Forbidden Fruit,” and Lenker turns from storyteller to a rock singer playing for physical release. The insightful, ukulele-based “My Little Life” took top honors at the 2012 Kerrville New Folk Competition.