Anyone who hasn't listened to the tunes of Shawn Mullins before may want to purchase his new album, 9th Ward Pickin' Parlor. The combination of acoustic guitar and folk vocals has helped create a more honest, genuine side of Mullins many may have not before realized.

What may contribute to the hopeful success of this album is his change of record labels. He is now with Vanguard Records, a label that has helped produce music for similar genre-based musicians including the Indigo Girls, Collective Soul and John Mayer.

Previous albums proved to be relatively unsuccessful for Mullins, though some people might be familiar with songs like "Lullaby", which was featured on the ever-popular "Dawson's Creek" back in 1998.

9th Ward Pickin' Parlor incorporates folk, country, rock and blues genres and, because it was recorded in New Orleans, the album primarily serves as a dedication to those who endured the heartache and pain of Hurricane Katrina. The album uses various instruments to diversify the beats on each ballad, but for the majority, Mullins uses a Charango (a 10-stringed Bolivian instrument). It is an extremely powerful instrument that enhances the lyrics for a stronger effect.

"Beautiful Wreck", the first single off the album, has been an enormous success. With a perfect mix of country and rock, the song features Mullins mocking a self-destructing friend and highlighting his relationship with this person. Using a lighter tone as the music behind these lyrics, it makes the song extremely entertaining, although the lyrics are very depressing: "I'm still sitting here waiting on the passenger side/for you to make up your mind … At the dark end of this bar/what a beautiful wreck you are." A risky move, listeners can appreciate Mullins courage in talking about such sensitive issues on the album. It definitely helps to validate his honesty and loyalty to the music and his fans, especially with this song.

The album opens up with a love song tinged with a tone of sadness. "Blue As You" features sensitive lyrics and string instrumentals that culminate to create a beautiful song, a top candidate for a second single.

Deviating from the usual passionate love-oriented songs on his albums, the song "Cold Black Heart" is the first murder ballad Mullins has written. What is great about this song is the creativity it exudes and the artist's willingness to push into different areas of music he hasn't yet done.

The album closes with "House of the Rising Sun". The song moves from acoustic to more powerful, electric elements, conveying the intensity present in the song. Progressing through the tune, Mullins takes over the voice of the female narrator. What is so compelling about "House of the Rising Sun" is its obvious tribute to New Orleans, a city that has significantly contributed to Shawn Mullins' mature, sincere, lyrically and musically diverse album.

The diversity of the songs on the album gives it the ability to appeal to a larger audience base, translating into a higher potential for success. Even though the majority of the album is "country", the acoustic side of each song offers a different twist to make the sound more rock-ish and even a little pop-ish.

9th Ward Pickin' Parlor is a solid effort from a musician many thought had fallen off the musical map. Shawn Mullins offers a good album to listeners looking to get their fix of a little bit country and a little bit rock n' roll.