Whiskeytown: Strangers Almanac

One of the most promising rising stars of the alt-country/Americana movement has been Whiskeytown, a five-piece Raleigh act which—after building a buzz by way of numerous independent releases and a reputation as an exciting live act—delivers on that promise with Strangers Almanac, its major-label debut. Of course, with the elements Whiskeytown has in place, it would almost be impossible for it not to deliver: Singer Ryan Adams has a voice and sensibility designed to sing heartbreak songs about cigarettes and beat-up TVs, and his work finds just the right connections to Phil Wandscher's Stones/Replacements-inspired guitar work and the sweet harmonies of Caitlin Cary's violin and vocal contributions. Comparisons to Uncle Tupelo and its offshoots, particularly on tracks such as "Yesterday's News," are inevitable, but don't embarrass, and like that collection of groups, Whiskeytown is equally effective on fast-paced numbers ("Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight") and ballads ("Houses On The Hill"). Strangers Almanac is an excellent coming-out for a band custom-made for melancholy, alcohol-fueled contemplation.