Richard Hawley had worked as a touring guitarist for Pulp before surprising everyone with a solo career that's been among the most distinctive and consistently great of the new century. It all started here. His voice is a modern marvel, a heavenly croon that evokes memories of country star Jim Reeves, Roy Orbison, Scott Walker, and Chris Isaak. Yet Hawley's songwriting ensures that he isn't just another pretty voice, and his consistent output makes each of his albums a must-have. "Coming Home" starts things with a melody that lingers long after the last note is played, while "Sunflower" adds a spooky organ and ambient effects that create the sense of traveling back in time to an world where nightclubs are quiet and filled with romance. The instrumental "Caravan" further paints the nights. The simple, stripped-down acoustic guitar and reverb of "Troublesome Waters" proves that Hawley doesn't even need grand productions to get his dramatic points across.