THE HANDSOME FAMILY
Hollow (Loose)
Brett and Rennie Sparks return with their latest collection of Southern Gothic-tinged songs as The Handsome Family, and despite their well-earned reputation as writers of dusty border ballads, Hollow does throw the occasional curveball. Third track, The King Of Everything’ veers into early Magnetic Fields territory – all wry “aw-shucks” delivery, mellow baritone and harpsichord frivolity.
One of the joys of following this band is spotting the recurring themes that creep in at the edges, like the allusion to Nikola Tesla on To The Oaks following his first appearance in 2006’s Tesla’s Hotel Room. This world-building fleshes out an already well-assembled sonic landscape.
Brett Sparks’ voice may be a dealbreaker for some (a woozy John Goodman comes to mind on the languid Mothballs), but at other times it’s the finest instrument at their disposal, as on Strawberry Moon – a luscious half-waltz worth spending some time with. Like laughter in the dark, this is music as uneasy comfort.
words ADAM JONES