Through Fog by Samantha Preis has quickly risen to become one of my all time favorite folk albums.
Her guitar playing is gentle, precise, and hypnotic in a way that creates a feeling of floating. Her sense of melody, harmony, and atmosphere pervades every song [this album has no weak tracks].
As for her vocals, they are perfection: as expressive and soulful as they are captivating. On top of that, her lyrics are wonderful: poetic, clever, at times even philosophical.
With the exception of one string accompaniment and the concluding piano instrumental, the entire album is only Preis' guitar and voice. Upon listening, you will quickly realize that this is all she needs to haunt and transfix.
It surprises me every time I listen to it how an album that seems so calm can be so moving.
While anyone who enjoys good melody, voice, and atmosphere will probably like this album, IMO it is an absolute must-have for any fans of the folk and/or singer-songwriter genre.
For me it's right up there with the best stuff by Lead Belly, Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, and Tracy Chapman.