Where's Buffy when you need her?
Another re-release from Murder By Death, this time 'Who Will Survive and What Will be Left of Them?', their second album, a concept album based around the story of a small town beset by demons. Similar in style to their debut 'Like the Exorcist but More Breakdancing' it's perhaps a little more structured but again works best as a whole rather than a collection of songs.
Once again it's not easy on the ear early on with the opening track 'The Devil In Mexico' throwing a cascade of discordant vocals and musical accompaniment at the listener straight away. The dynamics are more pronounced here than on their debut album and there's a much more driven feel to it through tracks like 'Killbot 2000'. The cello of Sarah Balliet is to the fore throughout and really does add an extra dimension to the band.
Something you couldn't really say about their debut album is that there are some great songs on here; 'A Degree in Reverse Psychology' is a melancholy track that creates real atmosphere with Turlas vocals coming over far more vibrantly than before. The rhythm section of Matt Armstrong on bass and Alex Schrodt on drums also takes a more prominent role and gives the whole album an upbeat feel, best illustrated when combined with Balliet's cello on 'The Desert is on Fire'.
It really does take several listens to get the best from this but the more you listen to it the more you discover within it. The melody is more pronounced than their earlier material, which does make it more user friendly but there's still plenty going on beneath the surface that you have to work at to fully appreciate. There are a couple of highlights on this album, most notably 'Pillars of Salt' with it's haunting and lilting piano part and understated vocals that recount a feeling of despair and desolation. Closing track 'End of the Line' is a dark and sombre affair bringing the end of the town plagued by demons, there doesn't seem to be any happy ending on offer here but it's a strong track and closes the album in style.
You really get the feeling that Murder By Death found themselves on 'Who Will Survive and What Will be Left of Them?', it's a far more accomplished recording than the debut album and is good mood music for a rainy day although the sombre nature of the content may not leave you in a particularly good mood!