Alejandro Rose-Garcia, or Shakey Graves as the nation now knows him, was a one-man rambling band (complete with a kick drum made from an old suitcase) who made his way from live shows in New York City to the underground freak folk world of LA. Now that he’s considered by NPR Music as “one of the top ten musicians you missed listening to in 2012” he’s finally settled in Austin and has created his own “music house” from which his most recently released and highly-praised album And The War Came was created.

This newest album, released by Dualtone Records (Shovels & Rope, The Lumineers, Noah Gunderson), seems to reflect the geographies of Shakey’s developing music career. You’ll find twangy Cash-like country songs, mixed with bluesy rock singles in the vein of The Black Keys, added to baroque pop, alt-folk, and dreamy acoustics. It’s as if Shakey is not quite sure what kind of music he wants to make just yet.

Although the album as a whole seems jumbled and disconnected, the individual songs reflect Shakey Graves’ musicality and technical ability. Layered on top of talented guitar picking or rhythmic electric riffs, Alejandro’s voice takes us through emotional jumps and rivers. One minute he’s so smooth and the next he’s yelping and crooning. Added to Esme Patterson’s harmonies on songs like “Dearly Departed” and “Big-Time Nashville Star,” we’re reminded of a Johnny and June duet, but with a modern beat-driven twist.

His potential and his talent to create are immense. But And the War Came feels more like a portfolio– this is where I’ve been and this is all that I can do– rather than a work of art. I believe in Shakey as a musician and I’m a fan. But next time I want a story; I want something that flows. I can’t wait for Shakey Graves to come into his own, to surprise us in a better way with an even better, cohesive curation.

(Let me know what you all think! Did you like And the War Came? Thoughts? Comments?….)