With a gruff but elastic voice that sounds like it could rattle rafters, Cory Chisel could have spent his major-label debut acting out his rock-god dreams. To his credit, the Wisconsin resident (and son of a preacher) shows restraint worthy of a Midwesterner. Death shuffles between starkly beautiful folk and looser bar-band stuff, with Chisel serving up both lazy lines ("We all lose ourselves in the end") and sharp, singalong choruses (on "Longer Time at Sea"). Chisel's strong, soulful voice suggests a pitcher who could throw 100 mph, but who's happier throwing curveballs.