Most of Freedy Johnston's songs are populated with characters that either seem blithely unaware of their terminal shortcomings or are keenly aware of them and lack the conviction or strength to do anything about them. His patently brilliant new album, 'Rain on the City,' offers up plenty of twangy Americana/Folk that shimmers with Power Pop melodicism.  

There are few singer/songwriters who can make melancholy and alienation as gorgeous and powerful and appealing as Freedy Johnston. His gifts were readily apparent on his 1990 debut, 'The Trouble Tree,' and were almost impossibly strengthened on his 1992 sophomore album, the indescribably wonderful 'Can You Fly.' After nine long years, Johnston has finally returned to the studio with brand new songs.