Whole Lotta' Death: Murder by Death, O'Death @ Bowery Ballroom

Murder by Death; O'Death; Kiss Kiss
@ Bowery Ballroom
New York, NY - April 4, 2008

Murder by Death are essentially ghosts. They lurk behind the scenes, making their spooky slices of gallantry and reflection in an alluring shroud. They seemed to have come from nowhere despite being one of the hardest working bands of the decade. And all their songs, in all shapes and sizes, combine a dirty, rough western edge with a sense of gravitas. And lead singer Adam Turla's mutton chops included, they cut an imposing presence, particularly Sarah Balliet on strings. Biting yet graceful.

O'Death were on fire this night, no other way to put it. Everything sounded swampy, stompy, and chilling. They had themselves a hootenanny but, much like their touring partners from Bloomington, they know how to stir a dark pot.
Kiss Kiss sounds like Dream Theater meets...well...Murder by Death. But it's not as good as it sounds.