Castanets
Asthmatic Kitty Records

Four stars

This haunting 10-song album plays through with the rare spirit of both Vic Chestnutt and David Berman. By utilizing economical but acute arrangements, Raymond Raposa offers his most literate set of songs yet. These aren’t pop songs, not even close. Raposa’s version of high-art Americana might throw most at first, but spend a few listens on In the Vines and you just might walk away with a new favorite songwriter.

Sounds like: The Silver Jews on a Townes Van Zandt kick