Past the Point of Rescue

Hal Ketchum writes simple, sometimes moving songs about relationships and/or life's dilemmas, and communicates them in an attractive, unadorned vocal package. But although many of these numbers espouse country themes, Ketchum's delivery, as well as the arrangements and sensibility, lean toward easy listening pop and light folk. Certainly every country artist isn't a honky tonking, tough-talking drinker whining about lost love, but Ketchum comes perilously close to the super-smooth Nashville sound of days past on "Past the Point of Rescue" and his cover of the Vogues' "Five O'Clock World."