I spoke a lot about the band in the Fool for Love Post. This is an easy album to listen to maybe too easy. What I mean by that is that as a sound they are initially unique to the ear (yet hearkens to an older rock-a billy Buddy Holly-Everly Brothers tone) but they are in danger of not being diverse enough in their songs. This album is excellent-duh I ranked it 4th best of year, but the next album may be crucial. I heard this before I listened to their first album Lonesome Dreams and this album feels very similar to that one with perhaps better execution and songs. Other performers have had this same challenge to varying abilities to grow as a sound. The best recent example is Vampire Weekend. I personally thought I would tire of their sound despite enjoying their first album a lot- then when they released Modern Vampires of the City they went to the next level. Another band I have wanted to do this is Gaslight Anthem and they really haven't despite claiming each new album is a wide turn from their past ones...they never really are. I still love the band but each release seems to fade a little more. Chris Isaak is another who has to work hard at this, maybe the best voice around but every song can't be the same. Here are some samples -including 1 or 2 I think go a different direction slightly. Band leader Ben Schneider likes to tell a story each album and leans toward the western themes, which is great count me in but he needs to push the band into their Modern Lord Hurons of the City next album.
Hurricane
The World Ender
The Yawning Grave
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