Christian Serpas writes the sort of clever, classic country songs that invite parody, but he does them well. “Bad Side of Goodbye” is the most obvious example, but “Miss Maybe” and “Read ’em and Weep” are from the same school of wordplay. Unlike many Americana/alt.country singers, he sings them without a hint of condescension or self-satisfaction. For three or so minutes in each case, he’s fully invested in the thought and in the values of classic country. He doesn’t ratchet up his twang or adopt an obvious persona; he sings country songs like they’re the language he speaks, usually to address lives led in the smaller towns that satellite the tantalizingly near big cities.

Musically, Ghost Town has been erratic. At times, George Neyrey’s guitar sounds like he’s ready for the band to take a turn toward the Supersuckers, then it has been so compressed and distorted that it sounded like a hair metal soloist in search of a power ballad. Here, Neyrey’s comfortably in place, giving the songs size and volume without trying to make them something they’re not. The rhythm section lets the band down on Hoot and Holler, keeping time without swinging or driving the songs. The songs move like they’re wearing galoshes, and they only go as far as Serpas’ enthusiasm and craft will carry them.