If Southbound had been released in the ’70s, some tracks might have been pegged as outlaw country, others as country rock and one or two might have made a run for the Top 40. Nowadays Bob Rea finds himself classified as Americana, a spacious catchall that implies twang and hard-scrabble authenticity. He deserves to transcend labels on the strength of songs expressing a vision—both personal and distinct—through music solidly assembled and performed with grainy conviction. Call him what you will: Rea is a superb songwriter.
