Wielding his acoustic guitar like a machine gun and tossing words and ideas around like grenades, Hamell on Trial is a high-intensity performer who writes and sings about sex, love, politics, near-death experiences, God, drug dealers, road trips, and just about anything else that enters his brain. On his latest album-the first on Righteous Babe Records-Ed Hamell captures the frenetic energy of his live act in a carefully crafted recording which also stands on its own. The result is an excellent introduction to an artist whose work defies easy categorization.

This time around, Hamell's primarily solo act is fleshed out with guest appearances by Ani DiFranco (whose voice and guitar are featured throughout, most notably on the duet »All That Was Said«), Gary Lucas (Captain Beefheart, Jeff Buckley), Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers), and Jonathan Kane (Swans). He's also got behind-the-scenes help from the likes of veterans John Leckie (Radiohead, John Lennon, George Harrison), Phil Nicolo (The Rolling Stones, Cypress Hill, Sly and Robbie), Ani D, and Andrew »Goat« Gilchrist (Drums & Tuba) as producers.

Asked why he chose to name the album for the track »Tough Love,« Hamell notes, »In their own way, many of the songs deal with love. It isn't a concept album, and the title song is almost like Natural Born Killers. But I think it's a time right now, in the world, where people think they're doing the right thing, and justifying it with love, religion, and patriotism, and it makes me a little fuckin' nervous.« Elsewhere on the disc, the ghosts of Matthew Shepard, Tina Brandon, and Brian Deneke meet in heaven in the song »Hail« to discuss the fate of humankind and celebrate their new home, where »we can be who we want to be,« while in »Don't Kill« the Supreme Being himself clarifies exactly what he meant by a certain commandment. In »Downs,« Hamell addresses the aftermath of a serious car accident which nearly ended his life.

But that's only a taste of the treats on album as emotionally varied as life itself. Tough Love comes on strong, but its heart is tender and its aim is true.