Cardinology (2008)

Ryan Adams and his backing band The Cardinals have got their sound down to a science, all right: Cardinology, as embodied by their fourth album in as many years, is a precisely calibrated method of creating cool, reflective pools of vocal harmonies and pedal steel, accented from time to time by fiery electric-guitar licks. So what if Adams has left behind (at least for now) the rebellious image and stylistic curveballs that marked his earlier years? He's allowed his songwriting to settle into a comfortable pattern as he's matured, but that hasn't made it any less vital. A–
Download This: Listen to ''Fix It'' on the band's MySpace page