The Lonesome Stars is a side project. Chris Allen's recent solo efforts come after a successful run with the alt-Country group Rosavelt. Austin "Walkin' Cane" Charanghat splits his time as a solo act and fronting the hardworking Walkin' Cane Band. Tom Prebish is an accomplished and sought-after sideman when he's not fronting the Bluegrass band Bolo Deluxe. As if it's not obvious, these boys have the chops.

More importantly, the camaraderie that grows out of 30 years of friendship (since elementary school) comes through easily on this debut recording. While each takes turns on lead vocals, often as not, they're harmonizing with each other.

The trio's all-acoustic sound is fleshed out with Prebish and Charanghat on acoustic bass and slide guitar, respectively. On a few tracks the old-time sound is enhanced by Ed Caner's fiddle and Dan Rose on banjo. In spots, I could swear there's percussion, but we'll assume that it's stomping, tapping, slapping, or clapping, but not a drum kit.

Charanghat and Allen share the writing credit on most of the originals, proving that they can deliver powerful and soulful sentiment without compromise. The added bonus is that they can do it with a tune that feels at once new and familiar.

There are several highlights on the disc, with each of the trio getting a moment in the sun.

Allen takes the lead vocals on the Pop-inflected "Gun Metal Blue." Charanghat says, "I had to beg [Chris] to put it on the record. He thought it was too dark. I thought it was fitting." It's another song about the girl that got away, hoping to see her again, "after a lifetime waged in other lovers' beds." The bouncy melody and Allen's straightforward delivery balance the heavy lyric perfectly.

Prebish delivers the lead vocals on the Bluegrass tune "Walk the Mile," with Allen and Charanghat's harmonies lifting the choruses. This track gets the sing-along-in-the-car-at-top-volume award, hands down. Whatever your range, you'll find it here.

"Billie Holiday Is On The Radio" is Charanghat's chance to show his soft side. The subtle slide work plays against his rumbling vocals to turn it into a sultry and sexy number. This one belongs in the last third of your "make out mix" CD. Trust me.

The disc moves through a bluesy turn or two to a few almost Roots-Pop ballads with plenty of that old-timey hillbilly sound. What's unique about the variety is that those styles don't bleed into each other - the Bluegrass numbers are conventional, the upbeat tunes are fresh and clean, the Country ballads are done without irony. It becomes clear that, even with a modern edge, the Lonesome Stars have a foot firmly planted in tradition.