Silver Bell

Here’s a tale that sums up the modern record industry: One of the best albums of 2000 wasn’t released until 2013. Patty Griffin’s former label spurned Silver Bell, possibly because it didn’t fit her “folkie” image, but now that she’s won a Grammy and joined a band with Robert Plant, Griffin’s level of acclaim has given the album a reprieve. Though Silver Bell meanders at times, “Little God” (which might be about the devil) and the vengeful “Sorry and Sad” pit her thoughtful, detailed lyrics and blue, reedy voice against tough Stones-in-the-bayou guitars. Maybe the delay was a weird blessing: More people will hear this now than would have 13 years ago.