Album: AA Bondy, When the Devil's Loose (Fat Possum)

Too understated and unoriginal to find its way on to anyone's albums of the year lists, the second solo effort from the former Verbena (nope, never heard of them either) singer will, none the less, tickle these ears more frequently than many a "worthier" contender. It'sa gentle work of simplepleasures: Bondy's bruisedbut never broken voiceproviding the perfect foilfor his melancholic butnever miserable songs.Think Ryan Adams' Heartbreakerif it had songsabout vampires andwerewolves. True Bloodmakers take note.