His first release of 2008, this is a 6 song EP Maxi single performed by Alan Merrill. This is a rock and old school R&B mixture, with many interesting cameo appearances by well known players. There are two Don Covay songs on this maxi single which were first recorded by Merrill in the mid 1990s. The mixes here of those songs, "Laugh" and "He Don't Know" are unique to this EP, and appear nowhere else. The title track, an Alan Merrill composition titled "It's A Hard Road" is performed in classic British hard rock style, with a loping swing and soulful approach. As always, Alan Merrill mixes his life influences into his musical performances, which include growing up the progeny of two jazz musicians in The Bronx, New York. Then going to a British elementary school, and later residing in the UK for many years. He also lived and worked in Japan in his late teens and early 20s. It makes for a unique life experience which is reflected in his unusual, some would even say bizarre, career choices and direction. The bonus track "Take It Like A Man" appears in the film "Miles Form Home" starring Richard Gere, and is sung by Alan Merrill in a bar scene the film.