Lost Rivers and Ditch Lillies

Murder By Death - Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon
Some bands make their fans a little nervous when they release an album. Will it be as good as the last one? Is this going to be the album where they lose the magic? I doubt many fans of Murder By Death have such apprehensions. MBD have made a reputation on releasing consistently strong albums throughout their more than ten years as a band. Each effort has a different flavor, but it's always the Murder By Death that their fans know and love. Their newest LP Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon is no exception to this unbroken string of success, and in fact shows the band making a larger stride forward musically than they have on any of their older works.

Part of this big step forward has to be credited to the addition of multi-instrumentalist Scott Brackett, who provided a plethora of sounds that have rarely if ever been heard on a Murder By Death album before. Brackett is ostensibly manning the piano position that Vincent Edwards vacated a few albums back, but it sounds like he's also provided organ, mandolin, accordion, trumpet, and even theremin (and probably more that I'm missing) this time out, and it's to the band's credit that they find a place in the mix for all of it. The sound is by turns grand and dramatic, or spare and intimate, but always evocative.

As much as Brackett has added to the sound with his many talents, it's obvious that the veterans of the band have all stepped up their game on this album. Adam Turla's vocals are still in their deep Cash-esque register, but he's also gained impressive control of his higher register that is reminiscent of the modulated Ralph Stanley style. Matt Armstrong's bass has always had an audible presence on their records, but here it takes on a throatier growl and really lets you know it's there, just listen to when it kicks in in the song "Ditch Lilly." Sarah's cello work has a fascinating versatility, from the expected melodic elegance, to the stuttering accents in "Lost River," to the distorted solo in "Straight at the Sun." And Dagan Thogerson continues to be one of the hardest working drummers in music, providing just the right emphasis in any situation. Drummers tend to escape people's notice at the back of the stage, but if you get the opportunity to see this band live, be sure to watch Dagan. He's doing twice as much behind the kit than you'd think by how effortless he makes it sound.

In a recent interview with Invisible Vanguard, Armstrong talked about how important it is to improve by "never missing a chance to shut up" when playing in a band, and that's really the key to the success of Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon. With this much going on it would be easy to fatigue the listener with all the excess, but if Murder By Death know anything, it's how to arrange a song for maximum effect. Why this band hasn't gotten more cinematic score and soundtrack work is a mystery, but it's apparently a future goal for the band, so keep an eye out.

Murder By Death have crafted an album here that is both beautiful and unsettling. According to the band, they were aiming to add some David Lynch-style creepiness to their already dark Americana, and they definitely nailed it. This one will be a perfect autumn soundtrack, so definitely pick it up. Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon, is an impressive musical achievement, and easily one of the best records of the year.

Murder By Death Streams New Album

Murder By Death has begun streaming their upcoming album Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon, which officially comes out on September 25th. It's a definite step forward for the band, who have really pushed themselves musically on this release. Expect a full review of the album here soon, and be sure to check out my interview with MBD here.

Stream Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon HERE.

Murder By Death Interview

I recently got to interview Matt Armstrong, bassist for Murder By Death, about their upcoming album Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon for Invisible Vanguard. Here's a preview of what we talked about, and you can read the whole thing HERE.

It's tempting to say that if this were a fair universe, Bloomington, Indiana's Murder By Death would be a household name in American music. But anyone who knows their distinct brand of dark and eclectic music knows that, like Tom Waits' oeuvre, it's just a little too weird for broad public consumption. Like many artists of their stripe though, those who know them tend to know them very well indeed. Their musical ability is unassailable, and in their decade as a band they've shown themselves more than capable of capturing any mood or atmosphere they choose, it's just that what they choose seems to be on the stranger side of things.

Past albums have allowed listeners to meet zombie children, doomed sailors, dangerous women, wanted men, all manner of thieves, brigands, outlaws, and even the devil himself. All the wild things that roam the deserts, mountains, and plains of the American subconscious are there populating their country-tinged rock and roll.

September 25th will mark the release of their sixth LP, entitled Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon, and bassist Matt Armstrong graciously took some time out to talk to Invisible Vanguard about their new album, new band member, and the new approach to marketing that Kickstarter has provided.


INVISIBLE VANGUARD: Murder By Death has built their reputation of delivering consistently strong albums that each have a distinct flavor. How will Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon stand apart from your previous efforts? Are there any particular themes that went into this release?

 MATT ARMSTRONG: Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon will certainly stand out sonically from all of our other releases. I think that's going to be the first thing people will notice when they hear the album. Thematically it isn't really a concept album, but there are some recurring ideas. A lot of it involves the idea of thinking you're in a nice, quiet town, but it turns out there's a seedy underbelly. Think "Twin Peaks" or "Blue Velvet" without the backwards talking and gas-huffing.

This is just a preview; read the full interview over at Invisible Vanguard!

Murder By Death Announce New Single and Kickstarter

The consistently impressive Murder By Death have released the first single from their forthcoming album Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon, which comes out on September 25th. This release will mark the MBD debut of mutli-instrumentalist Scott Brackett of Okkervil River.

The band has also announced the Kickstarter campaign for the new LP. Stop by and give their project profile a look, because the band has put some interesting treats up for backers.