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Written by Boston folkie Sean Staples with some lyrical tweaks from Foster, [the title track] ''Joy Comes Back'' rumbles along with the kind of deep-roots gospel tenor that makes it sound as if it's been buoying up hearts for generations. The lyrics--''I want to be ready when joy comes back to me'' --are, after all, sort of the essence of faith and what faith is for: the acknowledgement of hardship and weariness, with true resolve that relief is coming. The rhythm rolls steadfastly forward, a slow trek toward a sure destination, with [Derek] Trucks' [slide] guitar soaring above. The question isn't if the joy is coming back, but when. ''That has a lot to do with how I grew up,'' Foster says. ''Not necessarily in the religious sense, but just knowing that things will turn.