Record Review: Murder By Death – Good Morning, Magpie

Murder By Death like their alcohol.

Listening to Good Morning, Magpie, issued by Vagrant, is sort of like going out with the band on a Saturday night bender in the Old West. The first shot of the evening: a thirty-four second track called “Kentucky Bourbon.” Like its namesake, it goes down quick and smooth and warms you straight to your toes. Now that the tone for the night is set, you get into your groove, ready to throw back some more and have a good ol’ time. The second track “As Long as There is Whiskey in the World” brings out your honky-tonk swagger in full force, a sing-along pub anthem that perfectly matches your emerging buzz-induced all-is-right-in-the-world mood.

Five or six pints later, the unexpected low churn of Sarah Balliet’s cello takes you to that inevitable nostalgic place. In your mind, you stand astride the train tracks knocking back a few out of a loved and very worn brown leather flask that belonged to your grandfather. The sun is down on “Piece by Piece,” but the streetlights flicker: “I paid my dues, and I had my fun. You’ll have yours too, son.” The title track pushes you further into an emotional state, and the spirits of Tom Waits and Nick Cave come to visit: “For a little thing like you, I’m too heavy a load…You carry me home, my love.” The strings carry you on a wave of plucked heartstrings perfectly balanced with Turla’s gritty, Johnny Cash vocals and guitar full of rocks.

Like the folksy cousin of local talent Blair Crimmins and the Hookers, this album is a playful carnival starring a mournful cello, driving drums, soaring horns, and a raw and powerful lead voice. From energetically belting out Irish drinking and dancing songs to wallowing in its more contemplative moments, this album takes you from up to down, all around, and in-between, both musically and emotionally.

You take one more drink. You listen to one more song. You might listen to this when you are angry and punch a hole in the wall, but you would feel big and real while you were doing it. You might even smile and yell a little bit.

Yup, it’s time to go pass out.

Murder by Death will play The Masquerade with Ha Ha Tonka on April 20.

Good Morning Magpie will hit the shelves today at Decatur CD and Criminal Records.

Listen: Murder by Death – The Day

Posted in Music, Record Reviews.