Murder By Death - In Bocca Al Lupo

Murder by Death
In Bocca Al Lupo
Tent Show Records/East West
Grade: A-

Both Indiana and all us listeners should be thankful for the fact that Murder by Death exists. On the band’s latest and most widely known release, In Bocca Al Lupo, the four-piece is greeted by a host of guest musicians to offer probably their best record in their short history. Echoing the rich American narrative emphasized by contemporary musicians and bands like the Decemberists, Murder by Death offers rustic shakers that instantly grab your collar and force you into the story. Even if you aren’t a lyric-focused consumer, the twelve-track In Bocca forces at least cursory attention the sprawling stories of guitarist and vocalist Adam Turla. Joining Turla on this dark Americana journey are the pointed cello and keyboards of Sarah Balliet, the bass of Matt Armstrong, and the drums of Alex Schrodt. As you probably can imagine, Balliet’s cello often gives the songs their murky ambience; though Turla’s various vocal characters also widely alters the shape. Among the tracks that best bring you into the story and make you a witness to the crimes, misdeeds, and events are the horn-enhanced “The Organ Grinder,” the cello-driven Waits-like “One More Notch,” the uptempo rocker “Brother,” the slow, sinister country-western “The Big Sleep,” and the like-minded “Shiola.” Murder by Death gives you a lot to contemplate and process on In Bocca Al Lupo and you should be happy for the gift.