The Imperial

In 2014, the Delines released their debut LP, toured Europe, UK and Australia and were heading towards album #2. Singer Amy Boone was hit by a car and endured nine surgeries over three years before becoming strong enough to record again. Former Richmond Fontaine leader, Willy Vlautin had songs waiting---less Americana and more Country Soul. As Q wrote, ''Vlautin is in majestic storytelling formconjuring more depth in a couple of verses than most writers in 300 pages.'' The Imperial melds his songs with Boone's voice and a crack band with horns for a result that is a grand step forward from the first album replete with emotional songs of worlds both romantic and lonely, desperate and hopeful. The effort is stunning.