Almost all of the singer-songwriters discussed here - including Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Tom Waits, Amy Winehouse, The White Stripes, and many more - sing in an exotic and raw vocal style, which one would not traditionally call reassuring, and yet their profoundly unique voices appear to be the only ones capable of conveying their unique messages.

Brackett explores the intricate nature of isolation and self-absorption in the singer-songwriter's creative work.