Pitchfork

Just like other artists of his caliber, Freedy once released an incredibly powerful album that was hailed by critics and actually even bought by those in the know. The album was called Can You Fly and it ruled.

In 1994, Johnston followed up his indie- label masterpiece with the Elektra release of the pretty good This Perfect World. While it was no Can You Fly, it was a remarkable effort anyway. Its songs were stark and brilliant with heart- wrenchingly sad lyrics such as "And these pills won't even let me cry." It contained several tragic stories about star- crossed lovers, murder, and regret.

Never Home is a good record, too, but it's a bit less good than This Perfect World and a far cry from Can You Fly. The songs are still as impressive lyrically, but the tragedy is completely lost. It's his next album I'm concerned about.