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Concert reviews Music

Murder By Death

MURDER BY DEATH with CORY CHISEL AND THE WANDERING SONS and EAMON MCGRATH at the Horseshoe, Friday, July 20. Rating: NNN


Bloomington, Indiana gothic alt-country rockers Murder By Death seem to have a growing and enthusiastic local following, judging by the tightly packed crowd singing along to the band’s whiskey-fueled murder ballads and devil songs close to the stage last night (they were here in March at the Bovine).

The band was previewing material off their upcoming sixth album (and Bloodshot debut) Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon, and dusting off some old tunes in celebration of the tenth anniversary of their first album, Like The Exorcist, But More Breakdancing.

Cellist Sarah Bailliet and multi-instrumentalist Scott Brackett bring orchestral flash and nuance to the band, but the focal point is the deep, wacky, rock-opera like voice belonging to left-handed guitarist and front man Adam Turla – truly a surprise, given his slight and unassuming appearance.

Thought the set literally ended in sparks flying on stage (Brackett was wearing protective goggles) the band’s anthemic drinking song formula got a little tiring.

This was Murder By Death tourmates Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons’ first gig in Canada, and they conveyed their blues, country, and gospel-inspired pop rock sound well in a middle set – Chisel’s got a big, professional voice, and keyboardist Adriel Harris harmonizes well. It was, however, altogether too clean and sterile following the gritty and heartfelt performance of local roots/punk opener Eamon McGrath and his band.

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