On his last visit to Ireland, Americana songster Rod Picott performed gritty defiant songs of working-class pride in the face of economic meltdown. On his arm was violinist and fellow songwriter Amanda Shires. Shires is no longer around (she married to guitarist Jason Isbell), but her absence fills this album as Picott picks over the tracks of his tears. "Two coffee cups here beside the bed/I made too much again, sometimes I forget." This is music as therapy. The pain is real, but Picott keeps the self-pity in check and there is little bitterness, only a gnawing sense of regret. His tone is doleful but dignified on self-explanatory titles such as Dreams, Might Be Broken Now, Just a Memory and All the Broken Parts. However, Picott can still fuel a little fire on Where No One Knows My Name. The joys of vicarious grief. rodpicott.com
Download: You're Not Missing Anything, Dreams