Red Devil Dawn

Like a prodigy, employs his hopeful rasp on creating a sweet mix of , heartland melancholy and an essentially optimistic outlook. is a welcome masterpiece of emotional subtleties -- the great record that missed the mark on with 2001's drunken, bluesy and somewhat disappointing . jangles along, looking for "a hero coming soon." moans like something off of or 's absolutely perfect . And speaking of , the hauntingly spare could have easily fit between and on that record -- had this song come out in 1981, a 32 year old may have covered it as readily as ' The best track on has to be an exhilarating and joyful swirl of horns, guitar and raw feelings, and something closest to on a manic binge. In the end, is simply a beautiful album, and the first truly great release of 2003. ~ Charles Spano