Murder By Death

If Murder By Death were a painting, it would beAmerican Gothic. Employing rustic acoustics and a hushed, spooky sound, the band is foreboding with its deep croons and entrancing cello. Its 2008 album, Red Of Tooth And Claw, was appropriately morose, recalling the expanse of some empty Western landscape. 2010’s Good Morning, Magpieis a cohesive follow-up: MBD remains ensconced in brooding narrative and bleak imagery, which is not to say that the band lacks in energy. Good Morningfittingly works in spirited roots-rock and post-punk flourishes that brighten the album as much as they texture it. The band has taken to Kickstarter to try to fund the vinyl release of a new album, Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon (out on CD this fall via Bloodshot Records), and prods potential supporters of the band’s “dark whiskey devil music” with a hilarious, Bill And Ted-inspired video. 

Updated 07/11/2012