If you're familiar with Bloomington's Murder By Death, then you already know what sounds to expect coming out your speakers/headphones. Great American folk rock storytelling with lots of bass, cello and baritone vocals. It is as if they bought some Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan's "Desire" and Tom Waits' "Rain Dogs" (or maybe "Franks Wild Years") and just went from there. They also remind me in some kind of bizarro world to DeVotchKa; except of course DeVotchKa doesn't sound American at all.The themes don't stray from past performance either, ranging from the bourbon, the trials of the man who travels, lonliness, the women who've wronged us, the women we've wronged. It paints a picture of saloons and cowboy trails without limiting itself to anything like that. "...she makes a kind of music of the buttons poppin' off her dress..." Great line.
And with a general lack of surprise, there are still several fantastic songs in this collection. The song from that line above, "On The Dark Streets Below" breaks out the mariachi horns ala "Ring Of Fire". And with its Irish jig chorus, "As Long As There Is Whiskey In The World" should be covered by Flogging Molly tomorrow.
The highlight though, is "Foxglove". It opens with a shuffle that sounds like MBD is going to cover Barry White's "You're the First, the Last, My Everything". The disco permeates through the entire song, mellowing out during the chorus, but still anticipating a dance explosion. That explosion never comes, but the heart race is still a sexy ride.
Starts on big highs and ends just as well. I can bet that this will show up on my year end list. (4 of 5 stars)
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