Anyone who’s read Ray’s often-caustic online blog posts knows he isn’t afraid to speak his mind, especially about the state of the music business—and having seen his second major-label album shelved and his accompanying record deal unceremoniously terminated, he knows what he’s talking about. The now proudly independent Ray can make whatever sort of album he wishes, so it’s a little surprising that Crazy Like Me isn’t as loose and lively as the North Carolina native’s written correspondence with fans. Still, it’s a likable set that showcases Ray’s classic-country baritone and solid songwriting to good effect.