James William Hindle

With acoustic guitars and quiet music gaining a lot of attention this year, James William Hindle really has his work cut out for him. His eponymous debut album uses the same formula that his fellow label-mate Mark Kozelek and former tour-mates Appendix Out are know for: slow rhythms with folk and country tinges that concentrate on acoustics. Although his songs are light and morose, they refrain from relying on depressing the listener and instead show signs of happiness and good memories. As Hindle sings in "Remember My Markings," "It's better than it ever can be," it becomes clear that an artist performing sad sounding songs is delivering a positive message, which is a nice thing to hear.