Dignity and Shame

Red Devil Dawn The third full-length and first on Merge from one of the rock underground's most enigmatic songwriters - Eric Bachmann (ex-Archers Of Loaf frontman). Intricate tales of desperation, betrayal, loss and survival. 2003.	Crooked Fingers	To the Races In the early 1990s, Eric Bachmann achieved a modicum of success by playing decent, fun, and derivative indie rock that borrowed heavily from music that groups like Pavement, Versus, and Superchunk had made a year or two earlier. It's a touch ironic, then, that today Bachmann's re...	Bring On The Snakes	Reservoir Songs
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How On Earth Did We Get Here?
Damned if I know how you'd trace a music evolution that started at Archers of Loaf and ended here at Twilight Creeps, the fourth CD from Crooked Fingers. It's kind of like -- in life evolution -- you went to sleep as a panda and woke up as a butterfly. Both are fine -- it's just hard to see how they match up. And so it is with Archers and Crooked Fingers. Best, I guess, to just take what's been given with gratitude, for Dignity and Shame is very, very good. Every one of these songs, from the opening instrumental through ballads and the crashing mid-song chords of Destroyer or the opening blast of Coldways to the backing horns on Valerie, is a hook-filled and sometimes exciting listen. And if the lyrics are now and then a bit overblown, at least Eric Bachman is reaching, not coasting -- "oh, gracious love you were so good to me/You only broke my heart/Let my arms and legs stay free..." may be emo bitter, but it's both imaginative and nicely ironic. I find the female backing vocals a bit ethereal, and the CD doesn't completely kick in until You Must Build a Fire at Track 6 -- although I earlier really liked him calling the competition Twilight Creeps and "that joker" (after all, sexual jealousy has always fueled the best rock) -- but from then on this is a 5 star ride.

For intimate listeners...
I'd recommend Red Devil Dawn as a first Crooked Fingers album for most people, but if you're a careful intimate listener, this latest record is the real treasure for you. Close your eyes to the mystery of "Islero," the surprising opener. Surrender to the bliss of "Weary Arms," and then the power pop of "Call to Love." Crank up the soaring "Andalucia" or the barrelling "Coldways." And do not miss the exquisite "Sleep All Summer," an bittersweet duet that will seem all too familiar to anyone who's ever loved and lost. If you're new to Bachmann's post-Loaf work, "Twilight Creeps" and "You Must Build a Fire" epitomize both the up- and down-tempo strengths that are consistent through all the Crooked Fingers albums. But overall, this album is the most varied and surprising. A wonderful record for sunrise or sundown, to feel transition into a new phase of your day.

3.5--Crooked Fingers' weakest record
While many will enjoy this record (touted by the label as more 'accessible' than earlier releases), I wanted to write a review that addressed what I consider to be this album's place in the Crooked Fingers discography. Eric Bachmann's voice is gritty and broken-down, and in my opinion is one of those voices that a listener either loves or hates. I love it, but the songs on this album don't put it to its highest and best use. Earlier records fit song-style to voice much better. I.e., those earlier records not only sound less polished, they are songs _about_ being broken-down, left-out, mis-fit (ahem, "crooked-fingered"). Listen to the cover of "Sunday Morning Coming Down" from _Reservoir Songs_ and you will hear what I mean. This album is dominated by driving, anthemic songs that are much more confident, even bouyant. Bachmann's voice seems a bit out of place, especially in duets with sweet-sounding women singers. It may be argued that this album is a healthy progression of Crooked Fingers' sound, and that is for individual fans to decide. But I strongly encourage anyone new to Crooked Fingers to check out those earlier recordings, if not before this one, at least concurrently.

OK-ish
Part Tom Petty, part Bob Dylan, part Paul Westerberg but with the indie sensibility which should mean that alt.country and lofi fans would be up for it. The addition of the angelic Sarah Shannon on backing vocals was a masterstroke.

Wow!!!
Okay, it's July by now. I think my most favorite cd of this year 2005 will be the newest one from the Walkabouts (which will be released in august) but this one is really, really my number one bij so far!! I love, love love it and keep on listening to it!! Who are you Crooked Fingers? I don't know but I will check it out. Thanks for the wonderfull songs. And to everybody else, buy this beautifull cd!!