Sweeter After Difficulties is the debut album from Folk-Rock Singer/Songwriter Jonathan Ferguson. Living up to the title, the thirteen songs on the record tell the stories of people overcoming things such as troubled relationships, battles between duty and conscience, boredom, and unrequited love, all with a storytelling style that would not be out of place in a film: intense and vivid, yet subtle.Musically the songs are varied-- some take the everything-but-the-kitchen sink-approach, with lush string arrangements,solid bass grooves, energetic lead guitars and percussion ensembles, and others go a simpler route with just one guitar and vocals. In either case, the music serves as a fitting soundtrack to the short stories of people just trying to make their way, however they can."The debut album, Sweeter After Difficulties by Jonathan Ferguson, is that rarest of things for a new artist, a tour de force of mature and well crafted songs. If I have to make comparisons it would be James Taylor and Paul Simon but the similarities end there. Jonathan has already tapped into a unique blend of melody and virtuosity that clearly defines him as an up and coming artist. I believe I'll give it another spin."greg godovitz