Mosaic

There are few artists as evocative as David Eugene Edwards. Wovenhand would become his main musical concern as the (now) legendary 16 Horsepower came to its' end. This is Mosaic, the third album under the Wovenhand banner.

D.E.E.'s music is of a startling personal and spiritual nature. His Christian faith is evident throughout, but this ain't no Amy Grant album. It is often bleak in it's stark musical and lyrical landscapes. Mosaic can be soothing, but more often is violent, challenging, and urgent. At times this album can be overwhelming. Edward's has the unique ability to declare faith and spiritual crisis simultaneously- displaying a stunning honesty in his music. At times he seems like a Native American Shaman, possessed by visions and revelations. Within his now established tradition of dark Americana (established under the aforementioned 16 HP), Edwards infuses almost militaristic industrial elements- adding to the drama of it all.

Christian music is a genre I would recommend most people steer clear of- no matter your faith, or lack of faith. It is too often vapid nonsense, created by shallow souls seeking only to fill an economic vacuum and not a spiritual one. But Wovenhand is a bold and lively exception. Edward's is a poet possessed by a muse all his own. He does great service to his faith, showing it to be complicated and difficult while simultaneously being all encompassing and beautiful.

...enjoy...

Here's the link for a fan made video for the song "Dirty Blue"
using the short film The Hangman (1964).

Smiling Dogs

For you consideration: The debut album of once Colorado's, but now Brooklyn's, MAN'S GIN.

Moody, pensive and urgent, Smiling Dogs plays like a series of crime scene snapshots- each offering more questions than answers. Fronted by Cobalt's Erik Wunder, Man's Gin is one of the most innovative musical endeavors of 2010. The vocals of Wunder could easily draw comparisons to a young Chris Cornell while the tone of the album will inevitably draw comparisons to other Seattle luminaries from the 1990's (i.e. Alice in Chains). Think grunge, only darker and more menacing. And while such comparisons are inevitable, Man's Gin has more in common with the dark Americana of 16 Horsepower or the many expressions of a Mr. Dax Riggs (Acid Bath, Deadboy and the Elephantmen, etc.). Ultimately though, Smiling Dogs is an album with a distinct presence all its' own. It pulls the listener into a world of frustration, murder, confusion and despair... all with a pile of blood soaked money on the bed.

If you have already compiled your "Best of 2010" mixtape for you and your cat to listen to at your New Year's Eve party, I must request that you delete Like a G6 and make some room for Man's Gin.

...enjoy...

Always Say Please and Thank You

Easily the most popular posting on this here blog has been Jay Munly's, Munly & The Lee Lewis Harlots. So for today I offer you his parent band, Slim Cessna's Auto Club...

Slim Cessna and his Auto Club are Colorado alt-country/Americana royalty. Their live performances are the stuff of legend (which I as of yet have been unable to experience). Slim's story telling takes the listener through a variety of American musical landscapes as he invokes elements of big-tent revivalism, singing (and sometimes yodeling) songs about God and the ever tempting Satan. His tongue is firmly in cheek, it would appear, but it doesn't seem to detract from the charm and even conviction of this utterly enjoyable, quirky and rambunctious album. Their is a dark mood deep beneath the album, although not as dark as Mr. Munly's or even The good Rev. Glasseye solo works, but it does lend a nice and sinister edge at times. Slim's knack for compelling story telling as well as diverse musical compositions, make this album a must have.

PS: It was released on Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles, which is easily one of the best independent labels around. And they've been around for a long time.

...enjoy...

Head Home

For your consideration, good ladies and gentlemen, O'Death's 2006 (re-released in '07) album Head Home.

These Brooklyn gents (originally formed at Westchester's SUNY Purchase) created a frenetic Americana/blue grass opus with this release. Banjos, fiddles, guitars, beards, pianos, etc. are all unleashed with the energy level set to maximum in O'Death's trademark Appalachian/Gypsy Punk style. Traditional Gothic/Americana themes such as death, redemption, God, Satan, death, beards and death are roared, barked and sung by Mr. Greg Jamie . This album is explosive and will inspire you to head on down to the local barn with your finest pair of shit kickers, grab your special lady, and dance like the God damned Devil is nipping at your heels.

..enjoy..

Munly & The Lee Lewis Harlots

As a member in good standing of Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Munly Munly (aka: Munly, Jay Munly, Jayson Thompson) is a member of Colorado's Americana revival elite. For your consideration today, I present his 5th non-Auto Club album, 2004's humbly titled Munly & The Lee Lewis Harlots.

Building upon his Alt Country/Gothic-Americana roots, Munly drew from an assemblage of noteworthy talent to create what can only be described as an epic piece of Americana. There is drama and tension within Munly's twisted carnival barker like tales, all accented by his backing players and their ample use of strings and spectral female vocals. Throughout, Munly weaves yarn after yarn with a voice that is equally disturbing as it enthralling. His lyrics unfold into personal narratives with the poetic dexterity of a good old fashioned knife fight. His musical visions are at times frightening, at times humorous, but always addictive. This album was years ahead of its' time when released upon the world in 2004, and it remains so today.

You've Got One-Eyed Intentions.

TOTAL BONUS VIDEO!!

Through The Trees

Rennie and Bret Sparks are the husband and wife team that make up The Handsome Family. Their particular brand of alt-country (or even Gothic country at times) has an often macabre and murderous storytelling quality to it, which may be why I find it so interesting. This handsome couple have been plying their trade since 1993, while Through the Trees was recorded and released in 1998 after Brett was hospitalized due to a breakdown and subsequently diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. The emotional impact of such an experience can be felt throughout this gem of an album. The first two tracks alone will leave you drained as well as enlightened, simultaneously.

American Gothic

Who Will Survive & What Will Be Left Of Them?

Choose your own adventure:
So, you meander into the local watering-hole and who's sitting at the bar? Oh, that would be SATAN. What do you do next?
A) Buy him a drink and exchange memorable stories
B) Body Shots with Beelzebub!
C) Get tired of his braggart ways, shoot him in the back, and hope all ends well

If you chose C, then all will spiral out of control and your small dusty little town and everyone in it will die a horribly painful death. All this set to the tune of Murder By Death's unique blend of Indie Rock/Americana + cello. Well played gentlemen and lady. Well Played.

Prey

BONUS: Here are some photos of Murder By Death's Nov. 11th 2008 show at Maxwell's of Hoboken, NJ. A special thank you to the lovely photographer, Miss Jessica Ellard, for the photos.

Rev. Glasseye

Submitted for you listening pleasure, kind gentlemen, we have the good Reverend Glasseye and the album Our Lady of the Broken Spine. It over flows with narratives of suffering, sadness and maybe even a thimble full of redemption. All wrapped nicely in a package of Americana/folk rock with a touch of Mariachi. The aforementioned Rev. parted ways with Slim Cessna's Auto Club back in '01 and has successfully developed his own congregation of the spiritually infirmed. And I couldn't be happier... if that makes any sense. The track, "Belle's Palsy" alone is worth one's weight in sorrows. The track "Mother is a Carpegian," on the other hand, just may be the song playing in the head of that crazy guy at the bus stop that won't stop giggling madly while he stabs you with a sharpened Barbie Doll arm. Or maybe not...whatever, your call.

Salvation