Unentitled

SCAC is a big part of the Denver gothic country scene (despite relocation by Slim to Pittsburgh), along with Tarentella, The Denver Gentlemen, 16 Gentlemen, and all of Jay Munly's work (he co-fronts the band with Slim). Comparisons to Nick Cave always surround this band, and Unentitled doesn't buck this trend. Lyrical themes are what you might expect from "gothic country," with dark religious posturing in the mix. Banjo, etc. and pounding rhythms present in most songs, lots of harmonizing. Lots of references to old songs in here, but not as dark, weird, or varied as their last two albums; Good stuff nonetheless. If you liked the recent Munly album on the a-file, good chance you'll like this, even if it's way different.

*1 (5:20) Romping song about a fila brasileiro walking on water and fucking shit up. Fundamental Auto Club music: banjo, foot-pounding rhythm, breaks in instrumentation for harmonies.
2 (4:11) Uptempo, electric guitar and organ grooves along with this track about a castrato. Great title.
3 (4:02) Straightforward banjo, flute, harmonies; brooding religious lyrics
4 (3:11) Alternates between light, almost silly, and dark.
5 (4:28) Romping, almost circusy with repetitive "do you know your enemy... it might be meeeeeee," not a fan.
*6 (4:56) Retooled, more produced version of this song from their last album; updated lyrics. Plucky banjo, fast parts, slow parts, great music.
7 (3:44) Starts off with a blast, sounds like a mid-90s video game, before Cavy "dig the pit, dig the pit, dig the pit" vocals kick in. Dark, religious.
**8 (7:06) Creepy preacher doctrines, frantic yelling, romping, banjo, plenty of distinct Slim and distinct Munly; classic Slim Cessna's here.
9 (5:45) Civil war drummer boy, organs, high vocals, some plinky things; works best as a closer.