Yeah, we know the story line: Personal heartbreak yields powerful art. But it’s hard to be cynical about what has happened here. Simone Felice and his wife lost their young baby and nearly their hope, and he crafted these songs in response to the tragedy. Hushed and gorgeous, these simple, soulful tunes end up feeling almost the opposite of sad–sadness is hollow and cold, and this music is full and warm. When Felice sings, “There’ll come a time when these troubles have all gone by,” it seems that’s already happening.
