Uncle Kracker

March 8, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

Left to his own devices, Matthew “Uncle Kracker” Shafer discovered his music can get a little bit “greasy.” At least that’s the feeling he’s associating with the tunes on his new album, “Postcards from Home,” which is due out in May.

“This one was less aimed or calculated than my last album, ‘Happy Hour,’” said Shafer, calling from Detroit. “This is just more free-flowing. I did more of what I wanted to do as opposed to maybe what a couple of people wanted me to do. With ‘Happy Hour,’ I would write 10 songs to come out with one that was perfect. It was a longer process than what I was used to. I won’t say it was the wrong process, but I’m better off when I’m not being eyeballed like that.”

It turns out Shafer equates “greasy” with being unfettered in the studio and doing what he pleases. The results include the upbeat “Saturday Night” and midtempo “Blue Skies,” as well the country-tinged “My Hometown.” The latter track was released as a single late last year.

“I think the album might catch everybody off guard, to be honest,” Shafer said. “I wouldn’t say it’s completely out of context of anything I’ve ever done, but it’s a significant change, and that’s what counts. For years you feel like you’re making the same record over and over, and that’s no fun for me. I know from just past experience, when it starts becoming no fun, then it’s not worth doing. So I just feel like there has to be significant change. Everything has to change, but it just feels like without it [things] just get too stagnant. So change is good.”

Change is nothing new to Shafer, who emerged on the national music scene as Kid Rock’s DJ and song-writing collaborator, with co-writing credits on “Bawitdaba,” “Cowboy,” “Forever,” “Only God Knows Why” and “All Summer Long.” Shafer went solo with his 2000 debut, the double-platinum “Double Wide,” which included hit single “Follow Me.” Then for his second solo effort, 2002’s “No Stranger to Shame,” he scored his second chart-topping single with a cover of Dobie Gray’s classic “Drift Away.” Next came “Happy Hour” with the multiformat smash “Smile.”

Lately, Shafer has been exploring his country roots scoring a hit with “Smile” and spending most of 2011 on the road with superstar Kenny Chesney playing stadiums and arenas across the country.

Now armed with his new album, Shafer returns to the club circuit as a headliner. Fans can see Uncle Kracker on Saturday at the Dusty Armadillo. Knowing that he’s once again about to start his Groundhog Day cycle of touring, touring and more touring, Shafer is sort of thrown off guard when asked if he’s content with his career.

“I don’t know — I never thought about it,” Shafer said. “I don’t know if I know who I am or where I need to be. I know I’ve been making records for a while now, and I feel like an old man, but it’s good. It’s alright. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”