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Good Morning, Magpie Review
Each indivdual song is its own tableau of drunken regret, hopeful longing, and bittersweet realization.
The first time I heard Murder by Death, it was on a homemade mix cd given to me by a friend. Every time Adam Turla's voice kicked in on the track “Steal Away” from 2008's Red of Tooth and Claw, I kept thinking I was listening to Nick Cave. That murder ballad feel was pervasive. Later that year, I caught their live set, and immediately went out to the merchandise table and bought the album. This band's gritty, Southern gothic, gutter punk feel had captured me completely. In turns ghosts of the bayou and black-hatted cowboy movie reel, Murder by Death's songs had a pleasing undercurrent of darkness, danger, and epic visions.
Good Morning, Magpie picks up those threads and sets up the sequel to the stories of revenge put forth in the previous release. The bitterness and anger of those songs have finally subsided into an amber bottle of forgetfulness, a slow contemplation of regret and sunsets. The opening track is a tiny piece of nostalgia, as if we should be listening to these compositions on a 78” pressing through Great-Grandma's gramophone. Good Morning, Magpie has a much fuller sound, almost operatic; I have heard this band described as “cinematic,” and I would agree. There is a certain spaghetti western soundtrack feel to all the songs, and this album, although not completely enmeshed in that film genre, could be the background score to a dark movie. They are the Coen Brothers set to music, with their vivid and twisted imagery weaving through every lyric, curving around every cello chord.
And whereas the album as a whole works as the soundtrack to a traveling carnival to rival the one from Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, each indivdual song is its own tableau of drunken regret, hopeful longing, and bittersweet realization. “King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs,” sung in the song of the same name, could be this band's tagline, for sure. “Piece by Piece” calls to mind that lumbering rider on the open prairie; it literally feels like a Western movie sunset, the lone rider moving off in silouhette. One thing Murder by Death accomplishes well with every song I've heard by them is creating mood. The different instruments layer and entwine with each other into tapestries of pure emotion, deep colors that burrow in deep and hold on tight. The title track is a funereal waltz in half time, the down beat of the drums holding up the imagined dancer by sheer force of will, crawling, parched, grasping as Turla finally belts forth, “my love, still you carry me home, little dove...” What he sings there is the lyrical opposite of the music, a love song set to a dirge, as if the couple were running away from The Walking Dude from Stephen King's great Armageddon story. Their influences are myriad, both literary and musical. We've touched upon Bradbury and King, masters of the macabre, but musically, Murder by Death moves through Nick Cave, Ennico Morricone, and Johnny Cash, whose influence is felt and heard most strongly in “White Noise.” The Man in Black knew darkness, and pair “White Noise” with “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” from Cash's American V, and you're sure to put the fear of retribution and Judgement Day into the hearts and minds of all your friends.
Good Morning, Magpie is a smart collection of songs, appealing to more senses than just hearing. Like fine whiskey, even not so fine whiskey, there's a sting, then a warmth, and a deep sense of longing that can't be drowned with just one swig, with just one listen.
A | Courtney Rau
RIYL: Nick Cave, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Johnny Cash
Read more at Playback STL
Murder By Death - Good Morning, Magpie
It’s only March, and this year just keeps getting better and better musically. The newest Murder by Death album, Good Morning, Magpie is debuting in early April, and is sure to top the charts as one of the best indie-folk albums of the year. Defying current musical stereotypes and redefining what true Americana and Folk really are, the newest addition to the MBD discography will be sure to keep you enthralled for quite some time.
Although it is not a concept album, Good Morning, Magpie instead captures the eternal struggle between light and dark, containing some of the darkest and brightest material that MBD has even produced. Mostly written in two weeks in the Appalachian Mountains by Adam Turla, MBD’s singer, guitarist, and songwriter, the lyrics themselves are powerful, haunting, intense, heartfelt, genuine, impactful, and incredibly passionate. They are though provoking but combined with the wonderful instrumentals, the journey through the darkness and into the light is a beautiful change from the average trendy sound that we have come to expect from most modern music.
With Turla’s vocals lacing themselves among a potent blend of strings, drums, keys, and bass, comes a new breed of American rock. All elements of their sound are more than ordinary, working together to create the uniquely amazing sound that is MBD. The cello adds an ambiance full of passion and power, the drums are almost DCI worthy for their superb marching sound, and the bass line crawls across your skin with it’s own growl of rumbling low tones, and accompanied by the Johnny Cash-esque sound of Turla’s own melodic voice.
The album opens with the mellow “Kentucky Bourbon” and continued on through the slightly addictive lyrics of “On the Dark Streets Below,” a personal favorite of mine. With the horn line addition, it sets off the track, giving it an almost swing feel à la Brian Setzer. The title track “Good Morning, Magpie” holds a few charms of its own before blending into “You Don’t Miss Twice.” Up next is the superbly unique “Foxglove,” the most catchy and instrumentally diverse track on the album, and the best track on the album in my opinion. Finishing off the album is “White Noise” and “Day” both masterpieces of this new and innovative genre and finishing off the album just as good as it started.
You can be sure that this is not another mass produced album that will sit amongst the shelves of your local chain record store, but instead a gem that will stand out for years to come. Be sure to pick up this album when it hits shelves on April 6th, and catch the band at a venue near you in the upcoming months during their current US tour. Grab some friends and a bottle of whiskey, and let this superb version of homegrown Americana Folk rock take you on a whole new unique journey through the battle between darkness and light.
Track Listing:
1. Kentucky Bourbon
2. As Long as There Is Whiskey in the World
3. On the Dark Streets Below
4. King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs
5. Piece by Piece
6. Good Morning, Magpie
7. You Don t Miss Twice
8. Yes
9. Foxglove
10. White Noise
11. The Day
Read more at Popwreckoning.com
Review 9/10
Murder By Death: "Good Morning, Magpie" (album review)
While it's true you never get a second chance to make a first impression, those first impressions can be overcome. I was reminded of this in listening to Murder By Death's forthcoming album Good Morning, Magpie (out Apr 6th).
My first impression of Murder By Death came when they opened a show for the Reverend Horton Heat a few years ago. I found their performance monotone and tinny. Either they have come a hell of a long way from then or they had an off night, because Good Morning, Magpie is deep and well-textured, nothing like what I heard that night.
The Bloomington, IN quartet have their own unique spin on Americana music. Replacing the traditional mountain music banjo and fiddle with a cello, the band deliver songs like "On the Dark Streets" and the irresistible "As Long As There Is Whiskey In the World". Those tracks, and the overall pub rock feel of the record sounds like ditties The Pogues would play had they been born in Great Smoky Mountains.
The album walks a fine balance between serious intensity and rollicking fun. On one side are tracks like the soaring "Piece By Piece" and the epic closer "The Day". On the other side we are treated to whimsical southern Gothic on "You Don't Miss Twice" and the delightful Americana jig of "Yes".
The lyrical down-and-out themes mesh perfectly with lead singer Adam Turla's deep, almost mumbled delivery. This combination is it's most powerful on "White Noise". The track projects a rumbling thunder, punctuated by ominous vocals that would make the Man In Black proud.
In Good Morning, Magpie Murder By Death has created a roots near-masterpiece that should appeal to fans of everyone from Drive-By Truckers to Dr. Dog to Johnny Cash. It's not a stretch to say we have an early Album of the Year contender on our hands.
Best tracks: "As Long As There Is Whiskey In the World", "White Noise"
Track listing for Good Morning, Magpie:
* Kentucky Burbon
* As Long As There Is Whiskey In the World
* On the Dark Streets Below
* King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs
* Piece By Piece
* Good Morning, Magpie
* You Don't Miss Twice
* Yes
* Foxglove
* White Noise
* The Day
9.0/10Read more at SnobsMusic.net
review
Murder By Death, everyone’s favourite cello-rock band hailing from Bloomington, Indiana are set to release another dose of dark and cello driven music with the upcoming release of, “Good Morning, Magpie.”
Having not really heard much of their previous material, I decided that it is only fair I go back and listen to their previous material before reviewing “Good Morning, Magpie” – and I must say that this album is different compared to their previous western inspired rock opera albums, and also because this isn’t another concept album like the previous releases.
Firstly, Adam Turla (singer & songwriter) of the band really inspires and impresses me. This guy wrote most of the new material during two weeks he spent alone deep in the woods of Appalachia with just a tent, a fishing pole, a guitar, and a lot of paper. That alone in itself should be enough to make any music fan want to give this album at least one listen.
The album starts off with two drinking inspired tracks with whiskey in the song titles, which makes you kind of want a whiskey after listening to them. Each and every track on this album is veraciously pieced together, to create 40 minutes of dark, upbeat and sometimes disconsolate music. Once again there is the theme of dark vs light in some tracks, but there are also some songs that have a personal feel to them as well.
On the Dark Streets Below is definitely one of Good Morning, Magpie’s upbeat sounding songs complete with smooth jazz piano, bass, prominent tambourine and even some horns thrown in which makes this track fun and exciting to listen to.
Piece By Piece, is a sorrowful track that kind of sounds similar to Murder By Death’s previous material – as does the title track Good Morning, Magpie. Although resembling material from Who Will Survive and What Will Become of Them? these songs are still very much on a different level.
You Don’t Miss Twice is a humorous track with awesome catchy percussion that paints the picture of people hitting trash can lids, and pots and pans with spoons in your head, Turla can he heard saying “you don’t miss twice when you’re shaving with a knife.” Foxglove is another upbeat track with prominent cello that is obviously about a girl.
As the album draws closer to the end, track 10 of 11 “White Noise” comes out of nowhere and I really dig this track. It has the trademark Murder By Death dark and dreary, yet somehow upbeat sound. I absolutely love the guitar tones and riffs as well, with deep but not overpowering heavy bass-line in the background. This track is easily the best track on this album and towards the end of this song it starts to crescendo, then stops making space for the next and final track on the album.
The ending track on Good Morning, Magpie – “The Day” is once again upbeat musically (certainly not the lyrics though), I am fairly certain it is talking about the world coming to a end and everything starting over again. Overall this album is both lyrically and musically amazing, and some their best work to date. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Good Morning, Magpie will be released on Vagrant Records, April 6th, 2010.Read more at Beatsmash.com
review
Murder By Death-Good Morning, Magpie
February 19, 2010 by Henry Krinkle
Filed under Albums, Reviews
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header 11pop 150x150 Murder By Death Good Morning, MagpieI’m always surprised every time I hear a new Murder by Death album. For a band that’s not Mr. Bungle, each album is a pretty big departure from the previous. Their upcoming offer, Good Morning, Magpie is no exception.
Most apparent is that there’s not much of the Spaghetti Western motif (both musically and lyrically) that they’ve been using the past three albums. It’s got a bit of a more traditional sound with a quiet maudlin tone.
And to go off on a tangent for a bit, (and I’m sure this is coincidental) one of oddest things to me is just seeing the band name along the album title. It always seems to fuck with my head every time I see the word murder preceding magpie, being that murder has such a close relation to crows (you have a murder of crows, a tiding of magpies, an unkindness of ravens, and a parliament of rooks). Its just strange every time I see it. Anyway…
It’s their first album in quite some time that isn’t a rock opera. Which is cool, because (although I really enjoy the albums and the stories that accompany them) I think that if a band records too many concept albums, they turn into Dream Theater. And although there’s no overarching story, the songs are a meticulously placed forty minutes of music.
The album opens up with two drinking songs with whiskey in the title. As Long as There’s Whiskey In the World is reminiscent of that Whiskey In the Jar song that (most notably) Thin Lizzy used to play. On the Dark Streets Below is one of the album’s more upbeat songs. It’s got a NOLA jazz sound to it with horns and everything.
Piece by Piece and the title track are two songs right in the middle of the album that resemble Murder by Death’s previous offerings. They have a similar melancholy and passionate tone of the mellower songs from Who Will Survive and What Will Become of Them?
You Don’t Miss Twice is a really cool lighter waltzy kind of a tune with prominent percussion. It reminds me a bit of Skeleton Key. The album intensely climaxes with The Day. Possibly the best song on the album, I think its about the end of the world and rattlesnakes or something. And, that’s it. We’ve gone from whiskey to Ragnarok.Read more at Comfort Comes
review- A-
Artist: Murder by Death
Album: Good Morning Magpie
Members: Adam Turla, Sarah Balliet, Matt Armstrong, Dagan Thorgerson
Genre: Rock
Label: Vagrant Records
Tracks: 11
Type: LP
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Discs: 1
Rating: 3.91 (out of 4.00)
Grade: A-
Official Site
Indiana-based alt-rock/indie folk band Murder by Death has described their sound as “Americana noir and dramatic post-punk” and while that’s generally about right, it doesn’t tell you anything about how good or fun their music is. The tone is often dark and even morose, but it leaves you surprisingly uplifted. Good Morning, Magpie, their fifth full-length album, drops in April and unlike recent releases, it isn’t a concept album. Instead, it’s the result of two weeks singer/guitarist Adam Turla spent camping in Appalachia with nothing to do but fish and write songs. As on other Murder by Death albums, the struggle between light and dark remains the focus of many songs, but there is a more personal and hopeful feel, as well.
The first track, “Kentucky Bourbon,” is a short Johnny Cash-esque ode to whiskey and is a mere teaser of the goodies to come. “As Long as There Is Whiskey in the World” continues the love affair with drinking and gets your toe tapping as the song builds from quiet blues to cluttered alt-country. While Turla’s vocals are excellent, Sarah Balliet is the star as her cello smoothly transitions from classical to bluegrass. “On the Dark Streets Below” is a fun, jazzy, and remarkably (for Murder by Death, at least) upbeat tune with some great horns and guitar work. There is a gorgeous and melancholy lushness to “Piece by Piece” that crescendos and settles in waves.
Percussion rules “King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs.” It starts with a tambourine and then a slow, driving beat melds perfectly with Turla’s husky voice and Balliet’s melancholy electric cello. Haunting guitar leads the title track while Turla’s voice deepens, adding to the mournful tone. It’s a simply gorgeous song. “You Don’t Miss Twice” is more lighthearted with whistling and a beat reminiscent of “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” “You don’t miss twice/When you’re shaving with a knife.” Indeed. “Yes” has fun percussion and a raucous bluegrass feel.
The beat in “Foxglove” is led by the cello and I like the transitions in this song, again led by Balliet. It’s probably the weakest track (definitely the slightest), but it has a lovely sweetness that’s a nice change of pace. “White Noise” is much darker with its forbidding vocals and heavier guitar and the cello softly echoes the guitar here to nice effect. “The Day” ends the disc on a strong and intense note. The crashing guitar and cello melt into passionate drumming as Turla’s voice soars.
Not many bands use an electric cello as a focal instrument, but if Murder by Death is any indication, they should. While Balliet’s work shines, it never overwhelms the songs. In fact, few bands meld as well as Murder by Death. Each instrument complements the others and come together to create an astonishingly cohesive and unique sound. Good Morning, Magpie itself is just as cohesive, with each song flowing beautifully into the next, making a terrific album from start to finish.Read more at Shakefire.com
Album of the Week
Monday, March 22, 2010
Band of the Week: Murder By Death
I have yet to hear an album as versatile and powerful as Murder By Death's upcoming release, Good Morning, Magpie. Of the LP, singer-songwriter Adam Turla said, "Good Morning, Magpie is some of the darkest and brightest material we have ever written. While it's not a concept album, it embodies the struggle between light and dark that has defined our previous work."
This struggle can be heard throughout many of the tracks. In fact, it is Turla's vocals that demand the listener to take notice. "I traveled so long/I traveled so long til I was cold, cold as stone/My whiskers are gray they reach to the ground" he sings emotionally on "King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs." It is perhaps no surprise then, that Turla wrote most of the new material during two weeks spent alone deep in the woods of Appalachia with just “a tent, a fishing pole, a guitar, and a lot of paper.”
Their biography describes Murder By Death perfectly. "Theirs is a world where Old West murder ballads mingle with rock-injected Western classicism; where an album’s sequencing can take listeners from a haunted back alley in rural Mexico to a raucous Irish pub. All of which is to say, Murder by Death albums don’t just string together songs; they create experiences."
I couldn't have written it more succinctly. Their fifth album release, Good Morning, Magpie, continues to bring listeners on a journey. Combining powerful haunting string interludes, horn accompaniment and percussion features, the band's music leaves just as much a lasting impact as Turla's vocals. First single, "Foxglove" is a beautiful love song with moving string accompaniment. With that classic Johnny Cash feel, you can easily picture Johnny singing "It was always you" to June Carter Cash.
Whether it's a love ballad or drinking away the pain on, "As Long As There Is Whiskey In The World," ("For as long as there is whiskey in the world we can drink away the heartache/We can drink away the girls"), Murder By Death manage to keep the listener intrigued and wondering what will come next.
Due out April 6, Good Morning, Magpie is one record to buy this spring. I can only imagine how Murder By Death sound live. Be sure to visit Murder By Death on MySpace for songs and upcoming tour dates.Read more at You sing, I Write
Murder By Death
At first glance, Murder By Death is a pretty dumb band name. Of course, this quartet's first moniker was Little Joe Gould, and almost anything is an improvement from that. But silly name aside, the group has carved out a pretty interesting niche for itself, thanks to four full-lengths full of spooky, cello-and-piano-accented gothic indie rock with a new-age Johnny Cash as a frontman. With a catalog full of songs about whiskey, the devil, zombies and love, it would be easy for MBD to be embedded in kitsch, but they take what they do incredibly seriously. More proof? The band's fifth album, Good Morning, Magpie, comes out in April. If you were ever looking for the perfect soundtrack as you sharpen a set of knives, this is it.Read more at Riverfront Times
Local yokels and a couple cool gigs
We’re going to touch on a whole host of things in this here column, but the crux of it all is going to be about two bands that couldn’t be more different: Eight to the Bar and The Nortons. Oh, sure, both are what we consider local acts, but that’s where the similarities end.
Well, actually, both have notable gigs tonight. That’s where the similarities end. Wait, both groups are made of humans, not robots or zombies or dogs. That’s where the similarities end.
Unless you’ve been living somewhere else for the last couple decades, you know the name Eight to the Bar. Led by Cynthia Lyon (sister of Register food columnist Todd Lyon), ETTB has been around for a long time. The band’s been delivering a swinging and dancing good time to people all over the country and, actually, the world, since 1975. That’s before I was a twinkle in Mom and Dad Ferrucci’s eyes.
All joking aside, 35 years is a long time. For a band to last that long, it pretty much means two things: It has strong leadership and, of course, it’s damn good. Both of those can describe ETTB, which will celebrate its admirable accomplishment with a party at Simsbury’s Maple Tree tonight. The gig will give fans a real treat.
Lyon and the rest of today’s ETTB (Collin Tilton, Brinna Jones, Tom Whalen, Shawn Meehan, Michael Corsini) will surely play some of their signature brand of swing and R&B, but that’s not all that’s happening. The original 1975 lineup of ETTB, along with the 1995 version, will also perform. Plus, many of the band’s alumni will also be on hand to lend their talents to the gig.
It’s going to be a special night. I was not at the group’s 30th anniversary concert back in 2005, but, during the week after, I heard from ETTB fans about what a cool show went down. I felt like I missed out. You don’t want to feel that way, so don’t miss this one. Heck, if you’ve ever gone out to one of the band’s gigs, you know what a good, fanny-shaking time it is, so why miss this special one?
Unlike ETTB, The Nortons can’t celebrate 35 years together. Heck, singer/songwriter Calvin DeCutlass won’t celebrate 31 years on the planet for six months or so. But from about 2003 to 2006, the trio that also includes local singer/songwriter James Velvet and Johnny Java, were one of the more popular acts around. DeCutlass’ intelligent country-tinged folk-rock is missed since he doesn’t play out as much any more. But, last year, The Nortons reunited for local scenester and concert promoter Brad Jacobs’ birthday, and since then the trio has played a couple gigs here and there. Well, the guys will do it again tonight at Cafe Nine.
In the interest of full disclosure, DeCutlass and I are good friends and softball teammates. But also in the interest of full disclosure, I’m friends with a lot of local musicians and I don’t write about them unless I think they’re really good. Calvin’s a great songwriter.
Great tickets
As many of you may know, tickets for the killer show going on May 15, at XL Center, go on sale at 10 a.m. today. What gig is that? How about Pearl Jam and Band of Horses, two absolutely amazing bands? Don’t miss your chance for that one; it’s sure to sell out. Get on www.livenation.com or call 1-800-745-3000.
How about Saturday?
I just listed two great shows you’re going to have to choose from tonight, but it doesn’t get any easier Saturday. At Daniel Street, Manic Productions is hosting legendary New Jersey band The Feelies, a group that R.E.M. cites as a major, major influence, and for good reason.
Over at Cafe Nine, the Beehive Queen, New Havener Christine Ohlman, will bring Rebel Montez to the stage. Ohlman only performs at the intimate Crown Street venue about twice a year, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Keep Battling
Tonight and Saturday also features a continuation of The Space’s Battle of the Bands. If you don’t want to see known bands, and would rather catch what’s new in the local scene, well, the Hamden venue’s for you. I judged a night last weekend and, let me say, Tempest’s synthesis of classic Metallica and old-school prog, while not amazing, certainly showed tons of promise. That’s why I voted for them ... and convinced the other judges I was right.
Frehley’s Comet, sort of
Hey KISS fans, I know you’re out there. Well, if you missed it, the former guitarist for the masked band, Ace Frehley, will be performing for free at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den at 8 tonight.
I’m excited
I’ve heard Indiana’s Murder By Death’s upcoming record. It’s brilliant. Seriously. I can’t wait for the group’s Cafe Nine gig in early May. I’m going to be there with bells on.
You’re going to read a long preview of that show come that weekend, but you have a chance to see them before that show, since Murder By Death will be at Quinnipiac’s Alumni Hall Saturday.
And that’s all I’ve got, fine friends. Let’s talk again next week. Does that sound good to you? It certainly sounds just swell to me. Goodbye. I’m done.Read more at New Haven Register
Tour Dates: Murder By Death
Bloomington Indiana's masters of the American gothic sound, Murder By Death will be hitting the road for a tour supporting Good Morning, Magpie, which will be out April 6 on Vagrant Records.
The songs on Good Morning, Magpie were created in just the way you expect MBD death to come up with their lyrics. Singer/guitarist Adam Turla snuck off to the mountains alone to write them, as he told Spinner in a recent interview:
I drove out to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, parked the car and went into the woods with a backpack and a tent. I came out two weeks later with a bunch of songs. (Link)
If you've never witnessed a show from MBD, this is one not to miss; the band paints a lush dark picture of the whiskey-soaked underbelly of American back roads. If Johnny Cash had spent some time collaborating with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, the result may have been something like this.
Tour dates are listed below.
Murder By Death Spring Tour 2010
March
13 - Bloomington, IN - The Bishop
19 - Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa (Vagrant Records SXSW Showcase)
20 - Hamden, CT - Quinnipiac University - Alumni Hall
With Ha Ha Tonka and Linfinity
31 - St. Louis, MO - Off Broadway Nightclub
April
1 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room
2 - Denver, CO - Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
3 - Salt Lake City, UT - Bar Deluxe
5 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
6 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
8 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
9 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
10 - Costa Mesa, CA - Detroit Bar
11 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah
12 - Scottsdale, AZ - The Rhythm Room
14 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Conservatory
15 - Austin, TX - Emo's Alternative Lounging (Indoor)
16 - Houston, TX - Mango's
17 - Denton, TX - Rubber Gloves
19 - Hattiesburg, MS - Thirsty Hippo
20 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade Downstairs
21 - Birmingham, AL - Bottle Tree
23 - Ybor City, FL - The Orpheum
24 - Orlando, FL - The Backbooth
25 - Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds
27 - Columbia, SC - New Brookland Tavern
28 - Baltimore, MD - The Ottobar
29 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East: Downstairs
30 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
May
1 - New Haven, CT - Café Nine
2 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
4 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
5 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
7 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls
9 - Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop
10 - Kalamazoo, MI - The Strutt
11 - Madison, WI - The High Noon Saloon
12 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock
13 - Iowa City, IA - Picador
14 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
15 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's Rock ClubRead more at About.com
Murder By Death welcomes Good Morning, Magpie with tour
Using elements of punk, alt-county and classic Americana, Murder By Death has created a solid resume of creepy party music with plenty of cello. Though dark, they drift more towards a True Blood-sound than a Twilight-sound, always seeming like good country boys at heart. They even used a location in the Great Smokey Mountains to record their fifth full-length, Good Morning, Magpie. But these Bloomington, Indiana natives have set their aim beyond cult and local followings, and will launch a giant tour to support Magpie’s April 6th release.
The band, which has played support for the likes of Lucero and The Gaslight Anthem, is scheduled to support the release by crossing the country for six weeks. Openers will include Ha Ha Tonka and Linfinity. Prior to the trek, Murder By Death will make its presence known at this month’s South By Southwest. They are currently scheduled to play a two shows on March 19th, including one with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club!
Find the album’s tracklisting and the band’s tour dates below. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com.
Good Morning, Magpie Tracklist:
10. Kentucky Bourbon
02. As Long as There Is Whiskey in the World
03. On the Dark Streets Below
04. King of the Gutters; Prince of the Dogs
05. Piece by Piece
06. Good Morning, Magpie
07. You Don’t Miss Twice
08. Yes
09. Foxglove
10. White Noise
11. The Day
Murder By Death 2010 Tour Dates:
03/13 – Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop
03/19 – Austin, TX @ Beauty Bar (SXSW #
03/19 – Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa (Vagrant Records SXSW Showcase) %
03/20 – Hamden, CT @ Quinnipiac University – Alumni Hall
03/31 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway Nightclub *
04/01 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room *
04/02 – Denver, CO @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom *
04/03 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Bar Deluxe *
04/05 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern *
04/06 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge *
04/08 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s *
04/09 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour *
04/10 – Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar *
04/11 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah *
04/12 – Scottsdale, AZ @ The Rhythm Room *
04/14 – Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory *
04/15 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s Alternative Lounging (Indoor) *
04/16 – Houston, TX @ Mango’s *
04/17 – Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves *
04/19 – Hattiesburg, MS @ Thirsty Hippo *
04/20 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade Downstairs *
04/21 – Birmingham, AL @ Bottle Tree *
04/23 – Ybor City, FL @ The Orpheum *
04/24 – Orlando, FL @ The Backbooth *
04/25 – Gainesville, FL @ Common Grounds *
04/27 – Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern *
04/28 – Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar *
04/29 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East: Downstairs *
04/30 – South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground *
05/01 – New Haven, CT @ Café Nine *
05/02 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg *
05/04 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
05/05 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s *
05/07 – Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls *
05/09 – Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop *
05/10 – Kalamazoo, MI @ The Strutt *
05/11 – Madison, WI @ The High Noon Saloon *
05/12 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock *
05/13 – Iowa City, IA @ Picador *
05/14 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall *
05/15 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Rock Club *
05/22 – Chemnitz, DE @ Fuego a la Isla Festival
# = w/ Lucero, The Low Anthem
% = w/ Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
* = w/ Ha Ha Tonka and LinfinityRead more at Consequence of Sound
Murder By Death-Good Morning, Magpie (Review)
Adam Turla tried a new approach when it came to writ ing Murder By Death’s new album, Good Morning, Magpie. Heading to the Appalachian Mountains, the song writer spent two weeks in soli tude and crafted the major ity of what’s presented on this album; and, to his credit, a camp fire, almost down-to-earth feel flows through the con fines of his work. Also doing away with the concept-story approach that was heard on past releases Who Will Survive And What Will Be Left of Them? and Red of Tooth and Claw, the songs are indi vid ual pieces that, while act ing lyri cally by them selves, work rather well and sound cohe sive in an eleven-piece album fit.
Putting means of song writ ing and lyri cal sub jects aside, Good Morning, Magpie is still very much a Murder By Death album. Adam Turla’s Jonny Cash bari tone returns once more and begins the album with a love note to “the drink” on “Kentucky Bourbon” and “As Long As There Is Whiskey In The World”. The lat ter is a high light of par tic u lar inter est; cel list Sarah Ballet, as is typ i cally the case, demands nearly all of the atten tion here with her mourn ful quiv er ing in the back ground, rein forc ing the con fes sions of Adam and mak ing his alco holic depen dence sen ti ments hit a lit tle more closer to home. As a gen eral rule for Good Morning, Magpie, Murder By Death gen er ally stick to acoustics, drums, and cello back ings for the instru men tal foun da tion of this new release, largely doing away with the gui tar dis tor tion that dabbed past efforts.
But that’s not to say every thing here is cookie-cutter folk and indie rock music either; there’s really a lot of unex pected things to find on Good Morning, Magpie. Adam Turla leads Murder By Death into the realms of Frank Sinatra with the 50s and 60s-paced night club music of “The Dark Streets Below” and later into a “Putting On The Ritz”-throwback of the 1920s with “You Don’t Miss Twice (When You’re Shavin’ With A Knife)”—the lat ter flirt ing with the top ics of mur der and shav ing inter change ably. Adam Turla’s dark lyri cal top ics that filled much of Murder By Death’s past releases, par tic u larly Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them, are largely absent from this new effort—barring the last track and the happy-delivery death top ics of “Yes”. Instead, the vocal ist seems more agree able and less sin is ter; the-destined-to-be-television-show-theme-song “Foxglove” is a fit ting love song, sport ing a cello open ing that rivals the best of Sarah Ballet’s work and has Adam dream ily mys ti fied with the woman of inter est: ‘I woke and found the voice from my sleep’.
“The Day” closes off Good Morning, Magpie and lets us all know that Adam Turla can actu ally vary his vocal per for mance. A minor both er a tion, but the singer largely stays in the same tim bre of tone for the major ity of the album, which, how ever, does actu ally work to give the album even more of a cohe sive feel, not to men tion add that added irony to the darker lyri cal sub jects of “Yes” and “You Don’t Miss Twice (When You’re Shavin’ With A Knife)”. Weak moments come in the just-amounting-to-that-actually “White Noise” and the over-extended build up of the title track. But over all, Good Morning, Magpie is a success for Murder By Death, equally stay ing true to the band’s roots while switching up a few things for some variety.
Track Listing:
1. Kentucky Bourbon
2. As Long As There Is Whiskey In The World
3. On The Dark Streets Below
4. King Of The Gutters, Prince Of The Dogs
5. Piece By Piece
6. Good Morning Magpie
7. You Don’t Miss Twice (When You’re Shavin’ With A Knife)
8. Yes
9. Foxglove
10. White Noise
11. The Day
Similar To: Cursive, The Good Life, Minus The BearRead more at Review Rinse Repeat
CD Review: Murder By Death
Well friends, raise your glasses for a toast to one of this year’s best albums so far. Farm fresh and genuinely superb, Good Morning Magpie is the latest offering from the eccentric folk-Indie group, Murder By Death. The theme seems to be that of light and dark as the recorded slices and dices between the two all throughout the record in succession. Being a fan of anything dark in music, the dark aspect of this record blew me away. Mostly written spent alone in the dark deep woods with bare essentials, songwriter/singer/guitarist Adam Turla has absolutely captured the beauty of songwriting and the essence of the band’s background all while embodying the struggle between light and dark. The band lays out a beautiful fabric of different musical pieces that are simply inspirational, heartfelt, intense, haunting, inclined and classic. The music sort of reminds me of a nomad in the back country, searching for his long-lost love in the midst of a country western war. Turla, obviously the main focus of this group has done a fantastic job of making the songs come alive in such a vivid picture that you actually feel like your sitting with him in the woods at certain moments on the record. Turla’s vocal performance is also this records heartbeat. His Johnny Cash-esque vocals are priceless in this day in age and with the production value of the record in high quality, his words and vocals shine and inspire. The band also holds down the fort pretty well with the strings in high passion, the drums in marching mode and the bass on tight low rumble. There are so many things going on with the sound that it sounds certainly well-thought and concentrated. It certainly seems like Murder By Death is the only band of its kind since most bands are shooting for that electro indie splash mix. Murder By Death is completely opposite. Focusing mainly on the Americana and Folk stylings, Murder By Death is somewhat something special in today’s trendy music scene. “Kentucky Bourbon,” “As Long As There’s Whisky In The World,” “On The Dark Streets Below,” “Piece by Piece,” “Yes,” “Foxglove,” and “The Day” are the tracks that you need to focus on to feel the overall vibe of this band. Good Morning Magpie is absolutely fantastic and deserves all the praise and credit it will receive. It’s one of those albums that’s not only thought provoking but also defies the current trends to much success. It’s absolutely beautiful really. Pour the whiskey drinks, press play, loop it, hang with your friends and let the good times roll. The struggle between light and dark are about to clash.Read more at Frantik Magazine
New Music Review: Murder By Death- Good Morning, Magpie
Very rarely am I left speechless. After I first got to listen to my promotional copy of Murder By Death’s sixth record Good Morning, Magpie, I was left with very little to say. I think I told myself in my head, “I just listened to the best album of 2010″ after repeat listens, I still feel that way. Except the record is better every time. So what does that say exactly? I’m not sure, expect that Murder By Death have released their magnus opus.
Murder By Death have not been a band that has shied away from concept records, and never have had a lack of stories to tell. They’ve put out a record that tells the story of Man that fights the devil in a texas town a tale that is detailed lyrically like a mini-series in their wonderful second album Who Will Survive And What Will Be Left Of Them, They’ve based on Dante’s Inferno(In Bocca Al Lupo) and based a record around a poem by Lord Alfred Tennyeson(Red Of Tooth and Claw) The only record out of their catalogue is their debut Like The Exorcist, But More Break Dancing; still even that record had a bit of concept behind it as most of the songs(including the band’s name) is based off a movie or a play on words of one.
The concept has been dropped on their latest offering Good Morning, Magpie – though honestly the twelve songs that make up Magpie flow so well that it’s hard to believe that there is not a theme that weaves them together. Though their is one element that does string the record together, the initial writing for these songs began during a 2 week camping trip taken by lead singer and guitarist for the band, Adam Turla. Turla went into the woods and came out with 11 songs that the band would shape into Magpie, and the songs are great achievements of how a band can grow and get better with each release.
The one thing that I’ve always admired about the band, is they do what they want. They are hardly influenced by the world around them. Instead they take the route they want to, and tell the stories that they want to. Magpie is dark thematically and musically like previous Murder By Death records have been- “The Oceans will seize and have no reprieved for the weak or the damned” sings Turla on the wonderfully twisted “White Noise,” but it’s not all dark in fact, Magpie has a bona-fide love song, well a Murder By Death love song at least in the beautiful and uplifting tune “Foxglove,”
It’s the music that makes this record not only better than the rest of Murder By Death’s previous record(there is not one MBD record I dislike) It’s the production of these 11 songs, that really showcase just how great a band like Murder By Death is. Never before have you noticed how much the cello adds to the song, the drums are a bit stronger, and more subtle at the same time. And the bass is literally felt in every song.
Good Morning, Magpie begins with a short 30 second ditty, that sets up the record with Turla singing that we can’t choose our family, where we were born, but we can choose our drinking partners and, it sets up the glass and pours the”Kentucky Whiskey,” and that takes us into the drinking song of regret ”As Long As There is Whiskey In The World,” which is a fast driven sorrowful song. It almost is as if it starts out positively and then as the song continues, you can hear the misery in the narrators song. Now don’t think that the whole record is only about alcohol, because well that is not true. Though enjoying a night listening to this record with an adult beverage is certainly an option.
I can’t pick a favorite song off of this record, which I can do on each of their previous records. What I can say is, this record should really be a huge success, and should easily end up on people’s top ten records of the year. The sound of these songs is just breathtaking, and I mean breathtaking. Whether you’ve heard Murder By Death since 2001 or this will be your first listen, you will love it. In every song you can hear each instrument as it adds a layer, and as each song bleeds into the next, you will have hard time not being able to turn the record off. Every time I play it, I find myself starting it over the second it is done.
Every song is great. 11 songs written in the woods, that have now become the masterpiece that is known as Good Morning, Magpie, I plan on writing more as this record gets closer to release.
Speaking of that, you can own Good Morning, Magpie on April 6 via Vagrant Records.
Also if you get a chance to see them live, do it. One of the best bands touring today.Read more at Man With A Megaphone
ALBUM REVIEW: MURDER BY DEATH: GOOD MORNING, MAGPIE
I almost find it harder to review an album I love because I want to share every single detail with you. I went to see Murder By Death on Friday night, hoping to clear my head and put some concise words down (in addition to experiencing a fantastic night of music). However, hearing some of these pieces played live only fueled my desire to go into excruciating detail.
If you've never heard Murder By Death before, I would describe them as Siouxsie and the Banshees meets Johnny Cash. Their music is dark, quirky, and utterly fantastic. Vocalist Adam Turla's rich baritone is immediately recognizable. What really makes this band stick out is Sarah Balliet's electric cello which creates an unbelievable flow to their music.
Good Morning, Magpie is a jewel of an album. Each track is overflowing with emotion and introspection. "Foxglove" is as stunning as the first time I heard it, listen after listen. It is the sort of song that you can get lost in, full of vivid imagery and gorgeous accompaniment. "Yes" tells an upbeat message in an upbeat tune, but through an incredibly bleak tale. With refrains such as:
"Yes everyone comes and goes white in the head before we know / set things right before you go / let the people you love know"
"Don't take it so hard / don't take it so bad / think of the good times we had"
"Make amends before it gets worse / if the heartache don't get you first"
"King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs" rises up and exceeds expectations. The tale and music evolve perfectly, creating an absolutely brilliant track. "White Noise" follows a similar pattern. Magpie ends triumphantly with the powerful "The Day", going out with an unforgettable fight.Read more at What's The Ruckus
Album REVIEW: MURDER BY DEATH: GOOD MORNING, MAGPIE
Murder By Death are one of those bands I’ve always enjoyed but never fully submerged myself with. Over the course of a few years, I’ve seen them several times in Edmonton and they’ve always been impressive – although playing in the world’s biggest mall doesn’t necessarily match the vibe of their gloomy, dingy, bar-rock sound. Yet, I’ve only really heard In Bocca Al Lupo and the odd single here and there – so like I said, I’ve always enjoyed them but never fully emerged myself within their music.
That was until their fifth album, Good Morning, Magpie.
I’ve had the eleven track album on repeat almost non stop for several weeks now, promoting it to friends, praising it and even convincing my dad to give it a spin. Why? Well, Good Morning, Magpie is phenomenal.
Going into the deep woods of Appalachia for two whole weeks with just “a tent, a fishing pole, a guitar and a lot of paper,” vocalist and guitarist Adam Turla came out of his two week adventure with most of the record written – and that simplistic, stripped down to essentials sensation is felt in every song on the album. The album is dark and gloomy, built on down and out themes, but embedded within it is a sense of optimism, hope and recovery.
Turla’s low Johnny Cash-like baritone vocals are unmatched in today’s scene and bring back visions of gloomy bar bands from the sixties. The entire album lives in a lower registry than most of the acts coming out today which not only delivers a much needed breath of fresh air but proves that a band can create a lasting album without moulding themselves to the ever changing whims of the music industry. When Turla isn’t stealing the show, cellist Sarah Balliet shines through, creating a soaring rhythm section and sometimes (see Foxglove, an easy highlight of the album) becomes the complete vocal point of the track.
Whether they’re romanticising about their favourite drinks – like the thirty second opener Kentucky Bourbon and the rousing drinking anthem As Long As There Is Whiskey In The World – or interchanging the topics of shaving and murder with the Sweeny Todd influenced You Don’t Miss Twice (When You’re Shavin’ With A Knife), Murder By Death remain true to themselves, their fans and their sound. No other album in recent memory creates such a textured and well developed album that is able to establish a dark and foreboding mood like Good Morning, Magpie; and it’s safe to say that this will not be the last you hear of the album.
Read more at ThePunkSite.com
Murder By Death-Good Morning, Magpie
Confining yourself solely to the woods for two weeks straight seems a bit much to even the most distinctive musician. But for Murder by Death’s frontman, Adam Turla, that is exactly what he set out to do to gain inspiration and write all of the music on the band’s fifth album, Good Morning, Magpie. Traveling through hills, cooking meals outside and hiking while simultaneously writing material for a new album was never something you’d picture an established band doing, but unlike others Murder by Death do things a bit differently, even if it’s a little bit more rugged.
From the outset, Turla sounds far more convincing and richly invigorating. Songs circle the bitter lives of lost Westerners still trying to find their way back home and for all of its luster, the music never loses any sort of bite. “Piece by Piece,” is a fine example in its ability to build off Turla’s exasperating voice as he calls for help and although everything continues to grow, it’s the resulting strings and guitars that bring it all back home. And when you were away for so long, the pure sound of returning and finding your own is an entirely affecting one.
Rather than writing another concept album after the success of their previous two, Turla came back with his material and the band recorded in their hometown of Bloomington. And with the help of good friends and family, the band created what might just be their most sincere album to date. Always maintaining those signature trademarks like singing about life’s struggles, and how they all seem to revolve around drinking, are still very much prevalent (the sordid story on “White Noise” is excellently conveyed through minor chords, Sarah Balliet’s impressive strings and vivid guitar riffs) but this new material is somewhat more fitting and personal; for a band that delves in mystic storytelling, the combination is a winner all around.
The songs on Good Morning, Magpie are growling bits of Americana and rock and they’re always striving towards a greater good. Rather than being content in simply laying down an accompanying guitar and drum pattern, the band digs deep to find a winning combination of tenacious songwriting and craft – even if it means adding a string player, an extra drum pattern or another verse. And the juxtapositions all seem to splendidly come together under Turla’s stirring voice. While it all begins with a soft declaration for that delicious Kentucky bourbon, the following song, “As Long As There Is Whiskey in the World,” finds a man battling against the only thing that still makes him feel good and ultimately, losing. These aren’t just your normal tales of human struggle but alternate takes into the look of humanity. By the time the ghost of Tom Waits sweeps around on “You Don’t Miss Twice,” you’ve fully realized that this is a brilliant display of hometown, Western-classic, saloon-style magic.
Even if the woods didn’t conjure up songs about bears and catching fish, the end result is a satisfying album that is filled with terrific instrumentation. Each song finds a way to be the standout and there never seems to be a moment of staleness on Good Morning, Magpie. No, instead, you have an album that can proudly stand amongst the rest of Murder by Death’s catalog – and be an invitingly gripping one at that.
Vagrant RecordsRead more at Adequacy.net
Murder by Death, Ha Ha Tonka
In the last few years, Murder By Death have become one of my favorite live bands to watch. Whenever there's a band that builds a reputation based on creating narrative concept records, I always feel a little hesitant to see them live, because, more times than not, the story that they're telling on vinyl doesn't translate to a live setting. Such is not the case with Murder By Death who, from the first time I saw them in 2003, have set aside such trivial issues (like keeping a cohesive storyline) in favor of putting on a good show.
This did not change for their current headlining run supporting their latest record, Good Morning, Magpie. Partially because they had some pretty good supporting bands in the way of Ha Ha Tonka and Linfinity. Actually, there's not much I can say about the former other than: they are probably one of the best live bands I've seen in a while.
True-to-heart Southerners, Ha Ha Tonka's brand of gospel-tinged revivalist pop set the crowd off in the packed Tractor Tavern. People were dancing, and there were definitely more cheers than jeers. They stood in positive contrast to the windstorm that Seattle was dealt that evening.
For Murder By Death's set, they pulled no punches. They played pretty much every fan favorite I could think of, from "Killbot 2000" to "Brother," and some of the songs from Magpie were able to keep the momentum going for many of the fans. Though the opening bands had done more than an ample job of warming up the crowd, a deft performance and some serious crowd participation made it obvious whose show it was.
An interesting personal observation I had about the show, however, is about the evolving audience that the band is growing with. At the early Murder By Death shows I went to, there were usually a lot of hardcore and punk rock kids; sometimes they were there because the Hoosiers were supporting an hxc band and other times, they were enjoying Murder By Death themselves. On this particular evening, I noticed that the band had attracted quite a few rockabilly kids (at least the ones who didn't go to Viva Las Vegas), college kids (re: frat guys and sorority girls), and a smattering of crust punks.
In any event, Murder By Death were still able to put on one hell of a show and honestly, I didn't mind stomping along with the fashionable and drunk strangers who surrounded me.Read more at RedefineMag.com
Interview w/Adam
Adam Turla has a voice like the lowest notes of an old piano. It’s deep and dense and, like the low A on some ancient Steinway, can be somehow curt and smooth, percussive and melodic at the same time. And, with it, Turla sings songs that seem to fit his pleasant tenor perfectly, songs where the bad guys are good guys and the good guys are bad guys.
Turla tells his tales of the "despicable" expertly, but part of his success lies in the mood created by his band Murder by Death. In “The Devil in Mexico”, for example (from the 2003 record Who Will Survive and What Will be Left of Them?), Turla’s voice curls above the persistent whinny of an old Hammond organ, the throbbing plinks of a piano, and a cello’s low moan. His lyrics paint the picture of the devil bleeding crude oil through his hospital bed—an image that not only sets the scene for a larger narrative to follow, but also leaves the listener feeling sort of sorry for embodiment of evil. Similarly, “Sometimes the Line Walks You” (from the 2006 record In Bocca al Lupo) is sung from the perspective of a prisoner who admits his wrongdoings with disillusioned modesty; still, by the time the song shuffles towards its rowdy climax—with Turla’s desperate holler and bright horn blasts rising from the buzz of Matt Armstrong’s swaggering bass—the listener may find himself rooting for this inmate who, as he runs for the fence and from the prison’s guard dogs, will escape because he’s “hungrier than they have ever been.”
Recently, Murder by Death released Good Morning, Magpie, the band’s fifth full-length. On it, Turla presents a new cast of characters—prostitutes, drunks, vagrants, and other souls that have decided to live life unconventionally. An optimist might call them rebels, but most people would call them failures, losers, those with whom the “moral” might avoid eye contact.
But it’s these characters that fascinate Turla. “I like anti-heroes a lot,” he says. “A lot of the characters in my songs are people that might be decent, but do bad things, or bad people who do decent things. I like the idea of a three-dimensional character.”
One character of which Turla is especially proud is introduced in “King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs”, one of Good Morning, Magpie’s slower, more stirring songs. A gentle acoustic is plucked, propelled by drummer Dagan Thogerson’s steady, skipping rhythm. Sarah Balliet’s bows slow, doleful notes on her cello. These instruments create a mood that feels weary, but not weak, and lays a firm foundation for Turla’s trademark croon; he sings in the voice of a man whose long, grey beard and wiry frame tell much of his story. “I’ve been hunted, maligned / since before your time,” he sings, “I’ve been stoned / I’ve been thrown / to the wolves / to the wolves / I’ve been starved down / to skin and bones.”
“I think it’s a really unique song,” Turla says, “and it really moves me live. When I wrote it, I wanted a sort of beautifully sad, moving song.”
Despite these lyrics and this desolate, drunken protagonist, “King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs” doesn’t seem sad. Maybe it’s because Turla’s voice captures this character in such a convincing manner, or maybe it’s because, about halfway through the song, the slow, slogging instruments begin to gallop a little. Suddenly, Thogerson’s snare drum whips the song like a whisk, Armstrong’s bass thumps to the beat, and Balliet begins to slice thick chunks from her cello. When Turla growls, “Nothing can touch me, / nothing can touch me, / no force, / no sound”, the listener can maybe imagine this meager old man, with rain battering his slender body and lightning splitting the sky behind him, laughing and screaming, feeling somehow victorious over the world that has held him down.
Maybe. Murder by Death’s songs tend to sometimes feel like more than mere music, like there’s something more beneath their notes.
“'King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs' was the last song we wrote for the record and came together sort of accidentally,” Turla confesses. “I always get stressed out at the end of the writing process, right before we go into the studio. We’ll have like nine songs written and need one more, but I’ll usually write about four songs before I’ve found it because I’m trying so hard to make the album complete.” “King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs” emerged more naturally, Turla says, and was almost easy to write. “That song, to me, not only came out great on the recording, but is really exciting live. It has such a positive energy to it while also being a song about an anti-hero.”
There’s a reason why Turla seems so fascinated with the idea of the anti-hero—that character that intentionally breaks the rules, but always for the right reasons. It’s because, as a band, Murder by Death are a sort of anti-hero to the music industry.
This sensibility is evident not only in the yarns that their songs and records spin, but also in the band’s approach to songwriting. This is especially true in the case of Good Morning, Magpie, an album that Turla wrote in an unconventional way. “Basically, I talked to the band and told them that I had all of these ideas for songs,” he explains, “but I need to work them out by myself.” So Turla drove himself to Tennessee and spent two weeks isolated in the Smokey Mountains. He packed light, bringing only clothes, a tent, and a fishing pole. “I didn’t even have a guitar,” he laughs, “but I had the notepad that I keep all my lyrics in. I wrote and wrote and wrote. At night, I sang to myself. It was very lonely, but very exciting.”
More importantly, though, this sensibility is evident in the manner in which they present themselves. “Defining ourselves is my least favorite things to do,” Turla insists. “We just have never thought about it. We have no mission statement; we have never fit in any scenes. We’ve played with indie bands, Americana bands, punk, metal, stoner rock, rock ‘n’ roll, wussy stuff, tough stuff—we’ve played with everything. I have no interested in genres in general. My favorite books mix genres; my favorite movies mix genres.
“If we want to thrown in a Spanish melody,” he continues, “or a Middle-Eastern harmonic minor and it fits the song without sacrificing the continuity of the song or the album, then that’s what we do because it’s more interesting to us. I like the mish-mash approach to writing rather than just trying to pretend you’re one thing”
Maybe Turla’s old piano voice sings the rebel’s song because, not-so-deep-down, he his one. Or maybe it’s because he realizes that no one--no good guy, no bad guy--can ever be just one thing.Read more at Switchboardsessions.blogspot.com