On 1990's IF THERE WAS A WAY, country artist Dwight Yoakam manages to continue the restlessly inventive streak that he began in earnest on BUENAS NOCHES FROM A LONELY ROOM. Perhaps more than any other outing in Yoakam's catalogue, this album shows the influence of his time spent on the Los Angeles rock scene, as his acoustic-guitar work perfectly meshes with the distinctive electric six-string playing of his longtime collaborator Pete Anderson to give the music a potent rock & roll edge.

The fiddle-laden opener, "The Distance Between You and Me," gets things off to an energetic start, and "Takes a Lot to Rock You" is a fierce, swaggering barnstormer. The title track, a wonderfully moody ballad that showcases Yoakam's heartbroken croon and Anderson's atmospheric baritone-guitar work, stands as one of the singer/songwriter's best tunes, while the aching "Send a Message to My Heart," performed with Patty Loveless, is easily one of the finest duets by either artist. A shining example of Yoakam's talents, IF THERE WAS A WAY is a must-have for any country-rock collection.