In 1994, Mark Lanegan was best known as the Screaming Trees' frontman. This, however, is a whole other beast of foreboding fare. So deft at navigating lonesome despair, this guy's brain must resemble a desolate forest of misery. While the Trees' psych-grunge rumble may have masked some of Lanegan's songwriting finesse, his solo work puts it in clear focus. Whiskey for the Holy Ghost highlights his bluesy, brooding baritone with acoustic picking and flecks of organ, strings and sax. Don't miss "The River Rise" and "Sunrise."