be blamed on Chesnutt's inability to receive health insurance, which left him unable to pay his ever-increasing medical bills. Given this context, it's hardly a surprise that the first words Wagner sings on the album are "What the fuck," and from there his questioning of the meaning of existence heads off into territory that very few other songwriters, particularly those based in Nashville, would ever dare to go. But even thoughexposes many raw nerves with Wagner, the sound that the band conjures never sways from the soothing reinterpretation of vintage Nashville strings'n'syrup. Together, the music and lyrics are a jarring juxtaposition, but that is what has always made Lambchop unique, just as Wagner's image as a John Deere hat-wearing philosopher who sings like Curtis Mayfield has always madehim such a compelling figure.is easily one of Wagner's highest artistic achievements so far.(Arts & Crafts)To call Al Spx, lead singer-songwriter of spectacular "doom soul" outfit Cold Specks, the "black Adele" is lazy, racist and glaringly unoriginal — but to give some music journalists the benefit of the doubt, maybe they're just trying to convince mainstream audiences to take a chance on this Canadian indie artist. Say "Adele" and ears perk up and pocketbooks open. But Spx and Cold Specks deserve their own stratospheric levels of success. The band's debut,, is sorrowful but strong, an aching depiction of some of Spx's hardest and darkest moments, and her slow, triumphant emergence. The second track, "Heavy Hands," is an almost atonal masterpiece, and the most original song of the year.