Jason McNiff - April Cruel (2011)

For his fifth outing, singer/songwriter Jason McNiff goes to the roots in more ways than one. Not only is there an Americana vibe to many of the songs, as on "Mountain Song" and "Lovely Lea," but there's also a geographical base, like the Yorkshire references that dot "Students of Love." There's a touch of Dylan here and there in the stream-of-consciousness lyrics and his slightly nasal delivery, but he's developed into someone who's very much his own artist, with sophisticated material and strong inner complexity. He continues his relationship with Italy's Modena City Ramblers on some of the tracks, and they add their certain special flavor, but mostly he's working with the small group that has surrounded him for a while now. It's an easy association; they frame his work very sympathetically and bring some interesting variety, like the Latin overtones of "Hometown." For all that, the album has an appealing rawness, a down-home quality that's very ramshackle and attractive. McNiff is definitely a talent to watch.