In 1982, John Hiatt had an album produced by Tony Visconti and with all the songcraft and witty wordplay in the world was set to become the next Elvis Costello when the unspeakable happened. His "Overnight Story", imploded and he retreated into his career.
If retreated is the word.
Since then, everybody from Costello himself, to BB King and Eric Clapton to Bonnie Raitt have covered him, and he has made lots of money in royalties while churning good to fair roots rock albums with occasional power poppers thrown in.
This is more on the fair rather than good side.
Not a dog but "Damn this Town" is a blues rocker of no real staying power and "Hold On To Your Love" is a blues ballad that doesn't do much either, except remind me of Dylan's vastly superior "Man In The Long Black Coat".
"I Love That Girl" reminds us he can write a pop song when the moment moves hi, 'All The Way Under" a blues take on the honky tonk and "Don't Wanna Leave You Now" a full fledged ballad.
But let's be honest, this is all somewhat weak gruel. John's an old fashioned fellow. Record an album, tour, relax, do it again. This is a pro doing his job. He does it well but he could be more inspired.
For instance, 9-11 has stymied everybody since "The Rising". "When New York Had Her Heart Broke" is elegiac and lovely but lyrically a disaster area and doesn't move (he should make it into an instrumental).
Grade: B