The second album from the indie-acoustic band starts out with an infectious chord progression paired with Jeff Magnum’s Irish drinking song voice. The ambiance builds with accordions and explodes into a great album with the lyrics “Dad would dream of all the different ways to die, but each one a little more than he could try.”

Each song starts to mend into one another while maintaining an amazing rise and fall through each climax and each change of pace. As the album moves on, the guitar stays simple yet effective. Jeff’s vocals become more emotionally in tuned with the music as it progresses through each song. The lyrics talk about traveling and about death but keep interest of the listener with the easily understood lyrics. If wanted to look for deeper meanings, one could find how it strikingly resembles the life and death of Anne Frank.

As the album keeps moving forward the music becomes more thought out. Pinches of trumpets and accordions accenting the rolling guitar and bass make a full, solid sound. Though all centered on simple chords, they are thrown in with many different variations that take many listens to truly understand. The musicianship of this album is quite stunning; with as many instruments as they can play mixed in with each melody and progression. The album gives a sort of nostalgic sound that underlies the new wave music.

Overall I give this album 80% as it is very well made and definitely well thought out. Each song holds its own advantages and own characteristics, which is quite hard to do these days. Though it is old, it is a gem.

Songs to check out:
Track 8: Oh Comely – Eight minutes of calm soothing guitar linked with very catchy lyrics, though some of them are quite bizarre.
Track 1: Kind of Carrot Flowers pt.1 – Strong beginning with great use of instruments to truly show the climax.

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