Low-key, straightforward and earnest are a few words that might describe Doug Paisley. On his latest record, Strong Feelings (No Quarter), the Toronto singer-songwriter presses the reset button on the country/folk-rock/roots thing with a burnished batch of heartfelt tunes that steer miraculously clear of the saccharine, relying instead on Paisley's fine instincts for the plainspoken powerful. A tad more ornately arranged than the minimalist glories of 2010's much-praised Constant Companion, the new album is a richly textured experience shaded with rolling, funky elegance by guest organ/piano man Garth Hudson of The Band. Paisley seemed to pop out of the box with startlingly assured songwriting and radio-ready singing chops, and he proves once again the timeless appeal of a well-crafted song sung and played like it really means something.

Tue., June 24, 7 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 06/24/14)

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