As the lead singer and guitarist of the former alt-rock band Joe Buck, Jr., Rob Williams made a name for himself around the Richmond area by writing smart, catchy pop songs with a slight indie-rock tilt. Williams’ solo debut, A Place in the Sun, retains the pop sensibility that made Joe Buck, Jr. album serious diamonds in the rough (…used to be somebody, in particular), but where his former band embraced a certain garage band aesthetic, A Place in the Sun takes a turn down an old country lane, into the twangy, dust-filled territory of Americana.

Williams is , simply put, an incredibly gifted songwriter. The former high school history teacher has always had a penchant for penning infectious choruses, and that unique skill crops up on almost every track on A Place in the Sun. Right off the bat, the listener is hit with the up-tempo rocker “Whiskey in the Morning,” which is an outstanding ditty that calls to mind “No Depression” era Uncle Tupelo. After “Whiskey in the Morning,” the album downshifts to a slower, more sustainable pace, but by no means at the expense of song quality. “When You’re Better” features a duet that captures the difficulties of trying to maintain a relationship with an individual who is deep in the throes of substance addiction. The refrain, “I’ll be your sad song,” is effective and memorable, and is made all the more poignant by Williams and Sarah Brawley’s interweaving vocal work.

All things considered, A Place in the Sun is a successful record that captures all the things that Williams did well as a member of Joe Buck, Jr. and re-imagines them within the context of Americana. Any fans of Uncle Tupelo, Dawes, or Wilco’s early material will find plenty to admire in A Place in the Sun. The songs, ten of which were written by Williams, are catchy enough to draw you in at first listen, and lyrically deep and musically intricate enough to warrant repeated spins.