Murder By Death - In Bocca Al Lupo
List Price:
Our Price: $9.26
You Save: $4.72 (34%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.97 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: Murder By DeathEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2006-05-23
Music Label: Tent Show
Soundtracks:
- Boy Decide
- One More Notch
- Dead Men and Sinners
- Brother
- Dynamite Mine
- The Organ Grinder
- Sometimes the Line Walks You
- Raw Deal
- The Big Sleep
- Shiola
- Steam Rising
- The Devil Drives
Free Music Notes for In Bocca Al Lupo
Free Music Review: Everyone is always leery of concept albums...
Hit: 5 Stars
but it seems Murder by Death have made a career of them. Two of their three LPs have been just that. We're talking about the devil here, and that's how MbD deals, ya hear? Good.
Murder by Death have abandoned those crazy, five to seven word song titles (that didn't really have much to do with the actual song) in favor of simpler, more fitting titles for their new album, In Bocca al Lupo.
Sarah Balliet does the work of two men (or women), playing the keyboard and cello, sometimes simultaneously on the record. The first track that really stuck me was "Dead Men and Sinners." This is an amazing song, with clanking sounds of chains an anchor (possibly) with an additional vocalist in the background.
The first half of the album continues to rock and move along swiftly. The first half (or first seven songs) are extremely abrupt and end that way as well. The second half seems to take a quieter approach, much slower with less instrumentation that allows more time for the instruments to unwind to an end instead of just stopping suddenly. I might mention that these latter tracks carry a sort of "Three Men Hangin'" approach if you want to compare.
The album appears to be broken apart in this way, separating the loud from the quiet, emphasizing variety. There's more acoustic guitar throughout on tracks like "The Organ Grinder," "Shiola," "Steam Rising," etc. etc. In fact, that's the primary instrument besides cello. Sarah plays some keyboards throughout, but you mainly hear the humming, echoing sounds of an organ.
The band was even bold enough to utilize a trumpet on "The Organ Grinder," "Sometimes The Line Walks You," "The Big Sleep," to throw some ska-like sounds in the mix in addition to all of the folk rock. "The Big Sleep" is actually a redone, shorter version of "The End of the Road," which you might remember from The Masters of Horror soundtrack.
Adam sounds like himself throughout (a bit gruff but competent); I was really surprised how loud he got on "Sometimes The Line Walks You." He even throws some spoken word monologue in there. It made for an interesting listen.
I was waiting for the song that blew me away at Villanova University last year, and it came at track eight. "Raw Deal" may be the best track on here, building slowly and then releasing a little over the halfway point. Bassist Matt Armstrong adds some neat effects that really enhance the flow and sound. It's brilliant and even better live.
The weakest song here is probably "Shiola," but that's not saying much in terms of the negative, because it's still a nice addition to the record. The concluding track, "The Devil Drives," is kind of jazzy, dance-folk with a long drawn out finale. It could have been spiced up a bit more, but I still think it's quite nice. Alex Schrodt adds some light, interesting touches with his drums and percussion throughout.
In Bocca al Lupo is not perfect, but it's damn close. It's an album to enjoy immediately and also savor over a period of time. It has just about everything. It is definitely the best of the year so far. Pick it up.
In Bocca Al Lupo Poster
Indiana's Murder By Death layer the vocal sounds of an old saloon with the haunting strings of a Hungarian folk dance and the hard driving rhythms of pure rock 'n' roll, producing lush, orchestrated songs somehow simultaneously reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Radiohead. Added to that thick and intriguing sound are a series of dark and ironic lyrics, combining the mood and tone of Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds with the narrative force of The Decemberists or a short story by Nathanial Hawthorne. This record examines themes of sin, transgression, punishment, and redemption, touching on different lives and different stories in each song.Alternative Rock Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Alternative Rock Music CDs
Bouncing Souls - Maniacal LaughterRelease date: 1996-01-26; Music CD
Best price: $30.00
Blondie - Parallel LinesRelease date: 1994-07-29; Music CD
Best price: $397.77
Doors - L.A. WomanRelease date: 1993-04-09; Music CD
Best price: $199.99
Amon Duul - Phallus DeiRelease date: 1997-04-08; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Tangerine Dream - MelroseRelease date: 1990-10-02; Music CD
Best price: $74.98
Tangerine Dream - Private Music of Tangerine DreamRelease date: 1992-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $8.00
Price in other shops:
![Ska Explosion [VHS] Image](/images/Ska-Explosion-VHS-6303381014-X.jpg){kind=small}
Ska Explosion [VHS]Cleopatra; Release date: 1995-02-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
![Little Earthquakes [VHS] Image](/images/Little-Earthquakes-VHS-6302488664-X.jpg){kind=small}
Little Earthquakes [VHS]Atlantic / Wea; Release date: 1992-11-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops:
Exileby Geoffrey Oryema
Music CD
Best price: $4.95
![Louder Than Live [VHS] Image](/images/Louder-Than-Live-VHS-6301627865-X.jpg){kind=small}
Soundgarden - Louder Than Live [VHS]A&M Video; Release date: 1991-07-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
Death Cab for Cutie - Codes And KeysRelease date: 2011-05-31; Music CD
Best price: $7.31
Price in other shops:
Queens of the Stone Age - Queens of the Stone Age (Remastered) (Bonus Tracks)Release date: 2011-05-17; Music CD
Best price: $7.83
Price in other shops:
William Elliott Whitmore - Song of the BlackbirdRelease date: 2006-08-29; Music CD
Best price: $9.48
Price in other shops:
Mumford & Sons - Sigh No MoreRelease date: 2010-02-16; Music CD
Best price: $7.24
Price in other shops:
Murder By Death - Like the Exorcist, But More BreakdancingRelease date: 2007-07-31; Music CD
Best price: $7.78
Price in other shops:
Murder By Death - FinchRelease date: 2009-11-24; Music CD
Best price: $7.55
Price in other shops:
Murder By Death - Like the Exorcist, But More BreakdancingRelease date: 2002-06-25; Music CD
Best price: $9.79
Price in other shops:
Murder By Death - Good Morning, MagpieVagrant Records; Release date: 2010-04-06; Music CD
Best price: $8.63
Price in other shops:
Murder By Death - Who Will Survive & What Will Be Left of ThemRelease date: 2003-10-14; Music CD
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Murder By Death - Red of Tooth & ClawRelease date: 2008-03-04; Music CD
Best price: $6.19
Price in other shops: