Bain Mattox is what Alternative Addiction calls, hands down, the most talented unsigned artist in the country. Mattox sprung onto the Atlanta music scene in 2003 after winning Smith's Open Mic Madness. The twenty-one year old troubadour instantly became a favorite among locals and critics alike, with his every-man persona and an array of oddly tuned pawn-shop instruments. With the addition of a permanent backing band, a self-titled release under his belt, and a steady year and a half out on the road, he has developed gracefully into what Ernie Ball says, is a highly innovative artist who is a can't miss in 2006. In mid-2005 he began work on a second album with the intention of creating something organic, classic and real. True to his indie spirit, when it came time to record and funds weren't readily available, he called out to his grass-roots fan base for assistance. Loyal fans, eager for a second release, pre-ordered the upcoming album and a small back-log of unreleased demos, generating enough revenue for a completely fan-funded album. Mattox's stunning sophomore release, Prizefighter [November 1, 2005] is already a knock-out with fans. My goal was to spend the time and make an album that is easily accessible to people; something they could grasp onto and call their own, he says. He took the better part of 6 months off the road and came up with eleven tales of turmoil and triumph that bob and weave beautifully throughout this stark masterpiece. Mattox and his band reco...