Album: William Fitzsimmons, The Sparrow and the Crow (Naim Edge)

Illinois-based Fitzsimmons'previous album was abouthis parents' divorce. Thisone is about his own. It isa late-night-by-candlelightsort of record that, if thephases of grief can looselybe split into shock, denial,anger and acceptance,wallows wonderfully inthat final stage. Comparisonsto Iron & Wine areinevitable, but what thepair share by way of beardand banjo, they part fromby way of broken heart."We'll love again/ Just noteach other," Fitzsimmonswhispers, making it cruelto put out that once againhis loss is the listener'sgain.