Flies, frogs, owls, wildebeest and other animals populate the songs on The Wilderness, The Handsome Family’s first new studio album for four years. Through a fascinating collection of myths, legends and true stories, mysteries of the animal kingdom are revealed and we see our own world in a new light.
Melancholy opener “Flies” describes the quiet erosion of the natural world. “Eels” compares the well-ordered life of creatures who “have always heard the ringing of the bells that echo through the Earth,” with airplanes that “hang heavy in the air” and cars which “circle in despair.”
The animal names in the song titles give little clue as to what they are about. “Woodpecker” tells the tale of Mary the Window Smasher, a 19th century mental patient from Wisconsin and Wildebeest is centred round the death of influential American singer-songwriter Stephen Foster.
For twenty years now Brett and Rennie Sparks have performed their finely crafted songs neither swayed nor hurried by the turbulent world around them. Brett’s sombre vocals and simple yet beguiling musical arrangements are the perfect companion to Rennie’s lyrics. She paints vivid pictures and tells captivating tales. On “Caterpillars” we’re taken on a strange journey, “Glow Worm” is set in a world of “snowy spires where the air is clear as glass” and on “Octopus” we’re hypnotised by dancing tentacles. As if there were not enough words and imagery in the music, an accompanying book of pictures and essays by Rennie is being published in conjunction with the album.
The Wilderness is a magically musical imaginary menagerie.
Release: 13th May, Loose Music
Written by Patrick Widdess