Ward Davis is one of a growing contingent of country singer-songwriters who eschew commercial genre conventions in favor of making raw, honest music—a quality showcased on Davis' second album. Produced by Grammy-winning Jim "Moose" Brown (a member of Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band), Black Cats and Crows finds the sweet spot between traditional outlaw country and modern Southern rock, a sound that isn't surprising given that Davis has also written songs for country legends like Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. Tracks like the intimate ballad "Threads" show Davis' softer side, while the title track veers into darker territory with heavy drums and a searing guitar solo. Co-writers on the album include fringe country favorites Cody Jinks and Kendell Marvel, as well as acclaimed songwriter Shawn Camp. And on "Sounds of Chains," Anthrax guitarist and vocalist Scott Ian joins Davis, adding some heavy metal street cred to an already unorthodox country release.