Continental Drifters: Better Day (2008)

While lacking the organic cohesion of its predecessor, Vermilion, these bruised-but-unbowed survivors' third album confronts adult growing pains, resulting in typically well crafted folk-pop that's uneasy yet oddly triumphant. Susan Cowsill cowrote ''Peaceful Waking,'' an uncommonly graceful split-up song, but it's her ex, Peter Holsapple, who best rises to the challenge of the album's dusky vibe, penning standout tunes like the ruefully insightful ''Too Little, Too Late'' and the uplifting Southern-soul anthem ''Live on Love.''