There's something enlightening about growing older. With age comes wisdom, and the ability to prioritize and truly understand what really matters. On his fourth album, Spirit World, Stephen Bruton explores life's essential issues through mature eyes, and he touches upon some powerful and salient points.

Bruton is one of the hidden treasures of Austin, Texas. He is best known as a guitarist, having done extensive work as a sideman for Kris Kristofferson and Bonnie Raitt, and for his production work with Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Alejandro Escovedo and others. His own material is seeped in blue-eyed soul, moving from energetic rock into an almost jazzy groove with ease.

Spirit World is a varied collection of musical styles, all handled quite well by Bruton's excellent band. Lyrically, Bruton displays a deeply insightful perspective on the world and the trials of life, obviously based on experience. Whether confronting the mortality of loved ones in "Just a Dream" or the need for faith in others with the title track, he describes life's events and mysteries with an honest voice, both in awe of the wonder of it all and accepting of the things that can't be changed. In Bruton's eyes, there is hope for humanity in spite of our inability to change the future.