Moonlighting as the front man for the South Mississippi based alt. country outfit ‘The Lost Causes’, Justin Patterson pulls triple duty on the mic, acoustic guitar, and harmonica. However, Justin Patterson is first and foremost a serious and dedicated tunesmith, a talent which is apparent with the first listening to his recent release, Debut. These twelve unforgettable songs encompass the sway and swagger of the Bakersfield Sound; the hook, line, and sinker of the Nashville Establishment; the songwriting sensibility of the Texas Troubadour; and the way of the world wisdom of the Wild West Cowboy presented as only a native son reared on Mississippi’s rich musical heritage could. The music found on the new record, released by independent Cowboy Cool Records, was co-produced by Americana mastermind and Black Dog Records head honcho Chris Hudson at his Monticello, MS based Route 1 Recording. Featuring homegrown Mississippi musicians like Cary Hudson and Ted Gainey, both formerly of the legendary alt. country band Blue Mountain, as well as drummer Elliott Crawford of Buffalo Nickel, the record has an undeniable roots rock feel. Yet the addition of string bending guitarist Ashton Burge, pedal steel whiz Stevie Sanford, and fiddling sensation Anna Grace Kimbrough give the recording an unmistakable country sound. All in all it is an interesting array of twangy tones ranging from rodeo rock n’ roll as evidenced by the title track, “Debut,” to the frat boy country sing-a-long “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drink Alone,” and reaching to the mainstream “Memphis To My House,” with a slice of Americana as found on “Lovin’ Touch.” Justin Patterson & the Lost Causes are not easily defined. They are often referred to as a rock n’ roll band with a cowboy singer, and have also been called frat boy country, rodeo rock n’ roll, alternative country, Americana, and have even been accused of having the occasional mainstream country hit waiting to breakout. No matter your musical leanings, it is impossible to deny that Debut has a little something sure to suit a unique musical taste no matter the audience.