Others have experimented with historical narrative in rock n roll, from the simplistic (Johnny Horton) to the haunting (Sufjan Stevens). But with Salt Sex Slaves (as with 2005's Greetings From Cairo, Illinois), under the radar songwriter Stace England enters uncharted Territory. England's Randy Newmanesque style chronicling of John Crenshaw, and his 1850s Illinois slavery ring, pitches human depravity as de rigueur. "Inequality In Equality", a spring-coiled Stonesy rocker, revises the Stones sex-drugs-rock paradigm: history-epiphany-insight; "Freedom Star", an 1848 abolitionist song sung by guest Jason Ringenberg, settles for poignant beauty.