Outside Lookin’ In finds Studebaker John perfecting his overdriven, propulsive Chicago blues. His originals may not always be memorable, but they’re sturdy vehicles for his hard-driving harmonica and gutsy guitar. Studebaker hasn’t changed his style at all — essentially, this is the same album he’s delivered before, and he made several others like it afterward — but this is the one that features his best playing. – Thom Owens