by Rick CohoonFreedom is the follow-up album to Andy Griggs' 1999 You Won't Ever Be Lonely, and it proves that the best things in life come with time and nurturing. Griggs has a voice that can adapt itself to ballad and raucous grit alike, interpreting the music with a vocal "soul roll" in the right places. Griggs has been dubbed a follower of outlaw country, which is hinted at on cuts such as "A Hundred Miles of Bad Road" and the title cut, but mostly Griggs gives a variety of cleverly written relationship songs superimposed on vigorous guitar platforms. "How Cool Is That" is, indeed, cool; imagine the irreverence of the tattooed preacher's daughter holding a beer and winking your way. Ok, now picture a couple together on the couch and the man saying "All week I've been your husband; tonight I want to be your man." It's all here, from romantic sweet talk to love 'em and leave 'em in "Brand New Something Going On." This Louisiana native has found a place for himself in Nashville and on the country charts. Let's just hope it doesn't take another three years for album three.