It seems that every day, a new band featuring too much double bass for its own good and a singer who would rather have a seizure than sing, seems to pop up. In the world of music, cliches and copycats are inevitable. However, Murder by Death are different. Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them? is a unique album. It is meant to sound like a soundtrack to a western horror movie, with lyrics referencing the devil, greed, lots of whiskey, mortality, and of course, death. No genre can really fit Murder By Death, and no genre would really be able to do them justice.
Starting off the album is "The Devil In Mexico", which is reminiscent of an old time western. A song that one can imagine being played in a saloon while cowboys play poker and gulp down liquor. The guitar and drums soon softly blend in, and by then you are hooked. The song reaches a climactic ending with unexpected screams living in harmony with lead singer Adam Turla's vocals, and then immediately going into the rocking "Killbot 2000". A number of the songs have a slow tempo, carefully blending in excellent musicianship on guitars, drums, cello, and the occasional piano, which all help set the mood.
"Intermission" plays like a soundtrack to a silent film and takes your mind off the hopelessness discussed in the track preceding it, "Three Men Hanging". However, the standout, upbeat track, "The Desert is on Fire" really showcases Murder By Deaths ability. The opening guitar leads into captivating combination of drums and cello. The cello solo (courtesy of Sarah Balliet) midway through the song is the icing on the cake. Murder by Death slow things down during "Pillars of Salt" which sounds like a song that could be played during a funeral scene in a movie. Haunting piano combined with intentionally mundane vocals sends chills through your spine.
In the end, Murder By Death's, Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them? is one of the most underrated albums of 2003. Featuring excellent artwork in the booklet and CD case, it really helps set the mood with what looks like hand written lyrics on cattle hide and drawings from the Ol' West. Murder By Death's latest album is one that will surprise, captivate, and entertain you, and should not be missed.
MP3:
Murder By Death - Killbot 2000