With consistently vivid lyrics, passion-rich vocals and markedly articulate banjo play, “Mean” Mary James generates continuous waves of engaging emotion, drawing one into a mostly dark but nonetheless captivating place.  The Nashville-bred multi-instrumentalist contributes her own guitar, violin and keyboard as well to the graceful arrangements that adorn this set.  Tracks of note include “Rainy Day”, “I Fell Into The Night” and “Dark Woods” on this rock-solid, one-of-the-year’s-best candidate.