Kevin Danzig, Kevin Danzig (KEDA Records)


No longer partnered with musical collaborator/wife Cat Woolley, Danzig still leads the nomadic troubadour’s life where stories are indelibly etched within a blink of an eye. Here, on his best effort to date, Danzig impresses with intriguing songwriting, atmospheric vocals and diversely textured arrangements. Much of the proceedings are Southern-rooted, like the majestic “The Great Mississippi” that’ll be featured on an upcoming Smithsonian traveling exhibit, as well as more personal observations heard on “Local Crazies on Parade” and the inexplicably popular “J’ai Marches dans de poop.” Danzig has knack for crafting memorable, tuneful compositions that stretch across a gamut of emotions like failed love (“Marion”), anticipation (“Out of My Way”) and family tragedy (“Baby of the Family”). “Ms. Miriam” achieves haunting moments with softly cooed background vocals; the intensely driving “Fear of the Unknown Woman” parallels someone at wits’ end, never knowing if love will be realized again. “TV,” another gem, addresses how children are sadly raised on the boob tube. Like a true folkie, he’s not afraid to tackle the tougher issues such as deject loneliness on the Aids awareness dedication “Sold.” For Danzig, life’s good once again and it shows.