Murder by Death
address a number of themes on
Red of Tooth and Claw
, none of them particularly uplifting -- consuming passion, dark romance, longing, revenge, death, and destruction. It may sound at first like the makings of a mediocre goth album, but the band's combination of a taut, tense, elegant delivery and poetic lyrics breathes life into each of
's songs. Like
16 Horsepower
,
explore a darker side of country-rock, and there are two important influences in evidence here -- vocalist
Adam Turla
owes much of his sound to
Johnny Cash
and
Nick Cave
, but doesn't cross the line into mimicry. Instead, he leads the rest of the band in creating a mood and atmosphere that could be described as "country gothic," a sound whose dark romanticism and rustic overtones manage to be both bleak and warm. It's not unfamiliar territory for the band, which first began experimenting with it on
In Bocca al Lupo
.
carries over some of the Old West outlaw feel of its predecessor, but it's more aggressive and freewheeling here.
are steadier on this album, and consequently more willing (or perhaps more able) to expand their sound. Cellist
Sarah Balliet
continues to be the most dynamic element of the band, though
Turla
is a very close second. His baritone meshes nicely with each of the songs as he infuses the lyrics with weariness -- at the beginning of the album, he growls grimly through
"I'm Comin' Home"
; in
"Fuego!,"
he switches from a smooth croon to an impassioned wail with ease.
is not even above dark humor, as displayed in his deadpan delivery of the first half of
"Spring Break 1899."
isn't a departure for
, but their ability to keep their sound fresh and vibrant speaks well of their musical abilities. ~ Katherine Fulton