Dead Western

Everything, Eternally

Approaching ‘Everything, Eternally’ from a position of total ignorance, my first thought is ‘What the fu.....?’

But then I become intrigued by its dusty melancholy, and Troy Mighty’s eccentric vocal style. Funereally paced throughout, it sounds – to me, at least – like an unlikely blend of Tom Waits’ smoky bar-room ballads and the torch songs of Anthony and the Johnstons, flavoured with some Bad Seeds, Tindersticks and a snort of Mark Lanegan’s methamphetamine blues.

Essentially, it’s fairly straightforward acoustic Americana, beautifully done. Percussion is discrete, strings are sweet but never sticky. But its unique selling point is undoubtedly Mighty’s strangely chewy vocal delivery. I can’t help it, but when I listen to him, I see the creepy butler from every Hammer horror movie ever made. Or the haunted-fairground caretaker from an episode of Scooby-doo. He sounds ancient, creaky and cobwebby, and he should be wearing a dusty old black tail coat.

My personal highlight is ‘All I need is All Around’. No particular reason, I just like it. It’s got some nice vocal harmonising in it.Under normal circumstances that voice would really annoy me, like some novelty comedy song. But it doesn’t. Because here it sounds honest and natural, that’s just how he sings. And I like it that way.

Dead Western - All I Need Is All Around

Dead Western - All I Need Is All Around

#Albums #Dead Western #Discorporate Records #Folk #Psych #Bruce Cowie