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O’Death - Broken Hymns, Limbs and Skin

Album Reviews

Think Decemberists in New York, embroiled in a Hollyoaks plotline.

Nasal vocals, fiddle lines…You might think things are just a case of plaid toting folk bores. Think again losers! O’Death have a manic theatrical presence that keeps them more interesting than yr neon pasted wannabees or rap-pop fusion bands. From menacing anthems (’Fire On Peshtigo’), and a fair bit of shouting (’A Light That Does Not Dim’) 'Broken Hymns' is passion and tragedy in equal parts.

At least it is if your heart stops racing for enough time to really catch the lyrics. Certainly not bored of the bordello, most distract like a sleazy saloon bar, the fluorescent skirts of ‘Ratscars’ waving in reddening faces, imploding into woozy slide guitar and off kilter shimmies (’On An Aching Sea’). Cats are strangled with violin strings (’Legs to Sin’) and the death process explained with a personal touch that calms the whole thing to a reflective standstill ('Angeline')

Think The Decemberists in a New York bar, embroiled in a Hollyoaks plotline and you’re already half in like with O’Death. Rating: 7/10