Richard & Linda Thompson - Shoot Out the Lights Album

Through its black fog and quiet brooding, the Shoot Out the Lights album is an affirmation of life and celebration of hope that things somehow someway will get better if we fiercely choose to love even in the face of adversity. Richard Thompson's lyrics are sometimes scary ("Wall of Death" is clearly about depression and "Did She Jump" suicide), but there is also something strangely uplifting about them. Also, as Britain's number one folk guitarist, his work on the frets is absolutely brilliant, particularly on the acoustic guitar. Add to that, his harrowed/harrowing vocals and Linda's beautiful drifting voice and you have one heck of an album.