Mission of the Crossroad Palms

Forbert works best in folk rock arrangements which sketch out the harmonies and rhythms with a minimalism which matches his wispy voice. E Street Band alumnus Garry Tallent--who also produced Forbert's second-best album, 1988's "Streets of This Town"--gives the singer just the lean support he needs. But mostly the album works because it harvests Forbert's best-ever crop of songs: the ironic reflections of a retired railroad worker, "It Sure Was Better Back Then"; a hooky shuffle about relighting an old flame, "Lay Down Your Weary Tune Again"; and the Gothic imagery of the apology ballad, "Oh, To Be Back with You." --Geoffrey Himes