Indiana-based alt-rock/indie folk band Murder by Death has described their sound as “Americana noir and dramatic post-punk” and while that’s generally about right, it doesn’t tell you anything about how good or fun their music is.  The tone is often dark and even morose, but it leaves you surprisingly uplifted.  Good Morning, Magpie, their fifth full-length album, drops in April and unlike recent releases, it isn’t a concept album.  Instead, it’s the result of two weeks singer/guitarist Adam Turla spent camping in Appalachia with nothing to do but fish and write songs.  As on other Murder by Death albums, the struggle between light and dark remains the focus of many songs, but there is a more personal and hopeful feel, as well.
 

The first track, “Kentucky Bourbon,” is a short Johnny Cash-esque ode to whiskey and is a mere teaser of the goodies to come.  “As Long as There Is Whiskey in the World” continues the love affair with drinking and gets your toe tapping as the song builds from quiet blues to cluttered alt-country.  While Turla’s vocals are excellent, Sarah Balliet is the star as her cello smoothly transitions from classical to bluegrass.  “On the Dark Streets Below” is a fun, jazzy, and remarkably (for Murder by Death, at least) upbeat tune with some great horns and guitar work.  There is a gorgeous and melancholy lushness to “Piece by Piece” that crescendos and settles in waves. 
 

Percussion rules “King of the Gutters, Prince of the Dogs.”  It starts with a tambourine and then a slow, driving beat melds perfectly with Turla’s husky voice and Balliet’s melancholy electric cello.  Haunting guitar leads the title track while Turla’s voice deepens, adding to the mournful tone.  It’s a simply gorgeous song. “You Don’t Miss Twice” is more lighthearted with whistling and a beat reminiscent of “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”  “You don’t miss twice/When you’re shaving with a knife.”  Indeed.  “Yes” has fun percussion and a raucous bluegrass feel.
 

The beat in “Foxglove” is led by the cello and I like the transitions in this song, again led by Balliet.  It’s probably the weakest track (definitely the slightest), but it has a lovely sweetness that’s a nice change of pace.  “White Noise” is much darker with its forbidding vocals and heavier guitar and the cello softly echoes the guitar here to nice effect.  “The Day” ends the disc on a strong and intense note.  The crashing guitar and cello melt into passionate drumming as Turla’s voice soars.
 

Not many bands use an electric cello as a focal instrument, but if Murder by Death is any indication, they should.  While Balliet’s work shines, it never overwhelms the songs.  In fact, few bands meld as well as Murder by Death.  Each instrument complements the others and come together to create an astonishingly cohesive and unique sound.  Good Morning, Magpie itself is just as cohesive, with each song flowing beautifully into the next, making a terrific album from start to finish.
 

Track Listing:
1. Kentucky Bourbon
2. As Long as There Is Whiskey in the World
3. On the Dark Streets Below
4. King of the Gutters; Prince of the Dogs
5. Piece by Piece
6. Good Morning, Magpie
7. You Don’t Miss Twice
8. Yes
9. Foxglove
10. White Noise
11. The Day