Oh, how could I have forgoten to suggest - another yet more dark and brooding direction, and one of my personal favorites: 16 Horsepower - their album, "Folklore" is a great one for starters (and specifically to fit in this thread). Folklore is a superb collection of songs (I think most on that album are traditionals or regional folk songs, as I recall) with Edwards unique and expressive take on each. The band is difficult to clasify, as are others mentioned here, in this thread, but they've been loosely described as "goth-folk". I'd add that there is a hint of Applachian spirit, as well as country, and some of that musical-meat-grinder creativity of Tom Waits to stir the pot. The band dissolved in 2005, but the lead singer, David Eugene Edwards went on to form the band "Woven Hand". I'd describe Woven Hand's music an even darker shade of black - on their album "Blush Music" Edwards does a drawn-out (10+ minutes) version of Bill Wither's "Ain't no Sunshine When She's Gone" that is enough to drive one to slit their wrists in a warm bath. Edwards is also involved in another band called "Lillium" - though I haven't heard much of what that band sounds like, I have liked what I've heard, and I believe Edwards is a gifted and unique talent. Start with 16 Horsepower's, "Folklore" and see if you like it...then move on to darker realms if you care to pursue it further.
Marco
