Richard Hawley has one of the greatest baritone vocals I have heard in ages. I'd just like to put that out front. This guitarist/songwriter, most well known for his work with everyone from Pulp to All Saints (really..? Yes.), has a voice so smooth that you'd be hard pressed not to want to caress it. Lucky for the listener, it takes hold and envelopes your whole body in the sound. Needless to say, Cole's Corner has the potential to create warmth for cold nights, whether or not you actually have someone with you.

The sound Richard Hawley crafts throughout this entire listen are very antiquated and romantic. The vein that connects it all, though, is his prowess in matching the tone of his voice with the open and melodic production of his guitar and any accompanying instrument. These songs would not be out of place if heard in Roy Orbison's best days. It's as if you stumbled into a nostalgia cafe with a swollen heart. If the jukebox was randomly hit by a cool-talking hipster, this is the stuff that would come flowing out. The brushed percussion and minimal effects on his guitar create a draping curtain that would be perfect for laying over the image of two lovers on the hood of a car while they just look up at the stars. The songs aren't driven by self-pity or grief; they're driven by the inate belief that relationships, crushes, and heartbreaks are all magical and worth the trouble. It's a mood album, certainly, so it won't always be the most appealing thing to swallow; but, when the particular mood arrives, you'll know exactly what to do.

If you're one of those people who cannot help but search for those perfect songs to help you get over your lost love in a cathartic fashion, pop this one into your CD/MP3 player and switch it to "Just Like the Rain." I promise that you will not be disappointed. Cole's Corner is a rare release that lifts you up while still letting you know that it's normal and fine to be taken down momentarily. After all is said and done, this is the most rapturous form of a solitary walk home in the rain you'll encounter.