Faithless Street
Here is how the first album from this alt-country-flavored Raleigh, North Carolina, band was always supposed to sound. WhenFaithless Streetwas released on the indie Mood Food label, it suffered from an inferior mix and other enforced choices that frontman Ryan Adams and producers Chris Stamey and Tim Harper have successfully corrected. The result is restored and remastered versions of the original songs where the shining country soul, romantic heart, and rebel spirit of Adams's songwriting infuse every track. Among the nine bonus songs are earlier, arguably superior versions ofStrangers Almanacstandouts, including the exquisite "Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight" and "16 Days" as well as violinist Caitlin Cary's vocal turn on "Matrimony." There are many other gems on this remarkable debut album by an uncommonly talented songwriter and his band.--John Sutton-Smith