Tod, Benjamin - Vengeance and Grace (Black Vinyl)

The self-proclaimed “proprietor of misery,” storied singer-songwriter and Lost Dog Street Band frontman Benjamin Tod found himself transcending into a life of gratitude, patience, and stability for his most recent solo album, Shooting Star. The result was an intrinsic, musical crossroads — more Hank Williams than Bob Wills, more Marty Stuart than George Jones. With a thick thread of honkytonk woven into it, the album left fingerprints on seemingly every style of country, from outlaw to red dirt, folk to indie, the culmination of which being a happily welcomed challenge for Tod.

With "Goner," Tod continues to experiment with a variety of country and folk songwriting - now just within one song. In one take, he's joined by pop-country up-and-comer Madison Hughes for a jaunty powerhouse duet. In the aptly named "Live & Alone" version, it's just Tod and his guitar letting the heartbroken lyrics shine through. Together, they're the perfect example of the wide spectrum of meaning that different people can find from the same piece of art. "These aren't just 'alternate versions,' they are intentional," says Tod. "Putting both out feels like the most honest way to let people meet the song where they are, and choose their version."