“Red of Tooth and Claw” – Murder By Death

Murder By Death, the pride of Bloomington, Ind., is back with another album, “Red of Tooth and Claw.” This phenomenal effort, the band’s fourth overall, follows 2006’s “In Bocca al Lupo,” which was not this critic’s cup of tea.

However, Murder by Death has gone back to what makes its music so enjoyable.

Sarah Balliet’s cello playing shines throughout this fantastic album, carrying the weight of the strongest track, “My Ball and Chain.”

“‘52 Ford” and “Rumbrave” are two other standouts. The former rocks full-out while the latter creeps up on the listener and pulls him or her in frontman Adam Turla’s story of lament. Turla’s lyrics keep the listener glued to the stereo as he spins tales of regret, fear and violence throughout the tracks.

Overall, there is nothing too groundbreaking about this album for fans of Murder By Death. But people who may have never heard this band before will be blown away by both the originality and the talent showcased on “Red of Tooth and Claw.”

Murder By Death is the perfect band to see in a smoky tavern somewhere, with its apocalyptic sound swaying from side-to-side.