Murder By Death
‘Good Morning, Magpie’
(Vagrant)

Comparisons will always be made between Murder By Death frontman Adam Turla and Johnny Cash. Yet, whereas before, this Indiana four-piece channelled the whiskey-soaked spirit and desert dry vocals of the Man In Black into something ragged and raucous, with their fifth album, they’ve ditched that harder edge to explore the dank swamp of their country roots. Barrell-soaked in this rich heritage, this is their most mellifluous album yet, from the short alcoholic ditty of ‘Kentucky Bourbon’ to the lilting nostalgia of ‘King Of The Gutters, Prince Of The Dogs’. The portentous White Noise is subtle yet sinister, while rowdy closer ‘The Day’ kicks as much as a double shot of moonshine, leaving you gasping and reeling for more.

Mischa Pearlman