Much like her labelmate Freedy Johnston, Kate Jacobs landed in Hoboken, N.J., back when it was a relatively undiscovered artistic mecca (and a bit rough around the edges) and was signed to the town’s well-respected Bar None Records, which rereleased The Calm Comes After with several bonus tracks. Her girlish voice with a slight country twang led to the inevitable Iris Dement comparisons, and her literate lyrics further established Jacobs as a serious singer/songwriter who owed as much a debt to Raymond Carver as to any songwriter. The complementary band is largely led and influenced by Dave Schramm (who worked similar magic with Johnston); his shimmering, liquid guitar lines and tasteful production adds a lyricism to such compact tunes as “One Good Night,” “My Siberia,” “Safe As Houses," and the stunning “Now They’re Here,” where no words fill the void left after a loved one's death.