The very first strains of Augie March‘s Moo, You Bloody Choir, from the bright guitar, to the voice of Glen Richards, sound very much like Jeff Buckley. He doesn’t have the vocal range of Buckley, but his voice shares similar qualities, while the songwriting has the same separation from any sort of time or place.
The songs on Augie March’s third album span multiple genres from country to swing, while the lyrics remain painstakingly well-crafted while also retaining a quality that will creep up on you.
The first song, “One Crowded Hour,” caught my attention, but I was soon lulled into inattention. After three listens, my lack of focus was making it difficult to write a review. I liked it; I just didn’t know anything about it and sometimes you have to sit in the dark with a bottle of vodka to really understand a piece of musical composition.
It was the burst of sound following a drum-roll that kicked off “Victoria’s Secret,” which brought me back into focus. It was sad but with more volume than most of the other songs. Most of Moo is mournful, which is what had lulled me into a stupor. Even “Just Passing Through,” a song with an up tempo beat, is shrouded in darkness with rock arrangements that break through the shoegaze tendencies.
The diverse musical influences are what make it an interesting listen, as is heard on the country feel of “Mother Greer.” This song showcases Richards’ songwriting ability while keeping a steady pace. However, sometimes influences seemed tacked on, and in the case of the Gershwin-like beginning of “The Honey Month,” it feels out of place with the rest of the song.
“Clockwork” begins nicely, but the seven-minute running time drags. The lyrics and vocals on Moo, You Bloody Choir (a title I love), are spot on. It is the music carrying the words that slips. It has highs and lows, but there is little to catch the attention, which makes it a good album instead of a great one. Sometimes you need darkness and a bottle of vodka to understand an album, but sometimes it isn’t enough.
Augie March comes to Denver this Friday, August 3, playing Larimer Lounge with Joshua Novak, Oblio Duo + The Archers, and Die Pilot.
“One Crowded Hour” mp3 and video:
http://mintcherry.com/augie/One%20Crowded%20Hour.mp3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48WMWKwVV2s
