Rural Free Delivery
Though the Raleigh, North Carolina, band opposed the release of this collection of early demos by its original label,Rural Free Deliveryis a worthwhile document in that it shows that leader Ryan Adams's songwriting talent was obvious even in the earliest stages of the band's existence. Just 20 years old at the time of these recordings, Adams was already turning out uncommonly compelling country ballads such as "Angels Are Messengers from God" (a later version of which showed up on a 7-inch EP) and "Pawn Shop Ain't No Place for a Wedding Ring," which showcases the haunting harmonies of Adams and fiddler Caitlin Cary. A brilliant honky-tonk reworking of Black Flag's "Nervous Breakdown," meanwhile, revealed an equally significant side of the band's budding personality.--Peter Blackstock