Labor of Love
finds
Sammy Kershaw
moving further away from the neo-honky tonk that made his first records such a delight. Sure, there are a couple of honky tonkers on the record, but they are fairly tame and don't overshadow the love songs, exemplified by the power ballad
"Love of My Life."
While these ballads are impeccably crafted, they aren't distinguishable from those of his peers and they aren't as passionate as his earlier, more ragged ballads. Still,
Kershaw's
voice gives the material -- which vascillates from strong to utterly bland -- some style, and that's what will make
appealing to some fans. However, early fans -- the ones who loved
Don't Go Near the Water
and
Haunted Heart
-- may find
increasing professionalism a little distressing. ~ Thom Owens