Freedy Johnston’s debut album, Trouble Tree was thin and weedy-sounding — and no indication whatsoever of what would come next. On Can You Fly, both his voice and his songwriting have made a quantum leap, as has the production. There’s not a weak track here, but the deeply affecting “The Mortician’s Daughter,” the heartbreaking “Tearing Down This Place,” and the exuberant “In the New Sunshine” are all particular highlights. Syd Straw’s guest vocal on “Down in Love” is another high point.

– Rick Anderson