Lunette,
Jim Roll's follow-up to his critically acclaimed 1998 album
Ready to Hang, furthers his themes of love, loss, and pain, but somehow manages to treat all with an air of optimism. Produced by
Walter Salas-Humara of the folk-rock group
the Silos, the album goes beyond the dusty conventions of the alternative country genre by introducing everything from looping electronic textures to an avant-garde string section reminiscent of
Kronos Quartet. As odd as these elements may seem,
Roll's gruff sentimentality and sincere honesty anchor each song, and keep the listener wondering what'll come around the next corner. The album ties together the raw energy of
Uncle Tupelo's early recordings with the passion and polish of
Harvest-era
Neil Young.