By a River Burning Blue

Dark spooky tale spinning with a decidedly twangy mysterious bent, in the spirit of Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, but with a definite Calexico/Giant Sand/Howie Gelb experimental twang feel. Great experimental plus traditional-folk guitars, use of ambient noises, brushed drums, horns and even string arrangements make this lush at times. But really, the key word is minimalism when describing this. Enough contradictions? Well how about if I say: understated vocals that are focal point of all songs. In fact, the lyricism, the tall spooky tales are what this is about: lots of crime themes, murder and road tripping. In fact, there is a tip of the hat to Waits’ “murder in the red barn” here. Fitting. This band would be great sandwiched on a bill between him and Calexico. Sounds like something 4AD would’ve signed in a second ca. 1994. Also of note: our very own Colin aka “The Bawd of Euphony” is in this band. I’m so glad I genuinely love this cd so I don’t have to break the news to Colin that I drecked his CD. Play this!!

1) slow dark ambient start, evolves a slow swing
2) folky low-fi intro turns upbeat Giant Sand feel
3) spoken storytelling with minimal instrumentation
4) swingy waltz
5) violin, chill, brief
6) string arrangements, upbeat twangy dark cop story
7) slower dark, killer noisy guit solo
8) outdoors crickets and frogs, evening in the forest/swamp soundbed under minimal guit+storytelling
9) surfy beat, dark Mancini feel w/ trumpets, instrumental
10) brushed drums minimal swing, ode to Waits, rocks out a bit at end
11) solo a cappela, forest entomology twisted themes, quiet ending