Top 50 Albums of the 00s - #37: Crooked Fingers - Red Devil Dawn

Yep, we're counting down the top 50. Click here for overview and criteria.

In the 90s, Archers of Loaf was a band I missed out on fully appreciating. I caught on to them at the tail end of their career and sadly never saw them in concert. In their final album, one could kind of see the direction frontman Eric Bachmann was taking his career. Crooked Fingers' debut album was a complete departure from the angst-filled riffing that was the Archers trademark sound. Bachmann had matured and left his outward-looking anger behind him. Somehow, the transition worked superbly.

While some could argue his voice travels dangerously close to that of Neil Diamond, the music overwhelms whatever Cracklin' Rosie sonic connotations may linger. It is more simply summed as a version of Tom Waits, just three steps more modern. That's not to say the albums don't sound rustic. Just a bit, I dunno, emotionally open (yes, I was avoiding the word metrosexual). Bachmann does the most he can with his rasp. His songs give you the urge to alternately invest yourself in hearing every last detail or simply sing along.

Choosing one of their five albums released during the decade was no easy task. While the first was easily the most accessible, it's not like we're talking about prog rock here. Because Red Devil Dawn is the strongest from top to bottom, it wins by a snout. From the very first track, it is clear that Bachmann and his band have put together something special. "Big Darkness" has a lot more light than bleakness. The lyrics are a total downer, but they belie the feel of the music. Or maybe it's the other way around. The song skips ahead as Bachmann gleefully chants, "I saw a vulture swarming up above the dying crowd, above the villains and the heroes and the down and out." When he hints at a hero coming soon, you believe that he must be on his way, too.

Perhaps this album just came along at a good time in my life, but even though the songs are apparently meant to be morose, they all have an upbeat feel to me. Even lines like, "The moment that we turn away, the gods will say that the love we made was a lie," come off as hopeful and winning. At 41 minutes, it's a short record, but one that is loaded with heart. I feel like even though I've owned it since 2003, there's still more to discover. I'm still looking forward to future spins, full of hope of course.

I'd prefer to give you the album versions, especially when it's a version that's dramatically different, but Youtube is rather sparse with Crooked Fingers and I don't have the time to upload. Enjoy these anyway!




Previous Entries:
#38 - The National - Boxer
#39 - Hot Water Music - Caution
#40 - Eels - Daisies of the Galaxy
#41 - Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks Underdog World Strike
#42 - Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy
#43 - Ladyhawk - Ladyhawk
#44 - José González - In Our Nature
#45 - Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
#46 - Caribou - Andorra
#47 - Mastodon - Crack the Skye

Unyielding Commissioning Is Your Father

James is Worthy - James Earl Jones is being given a lifetime achievement award by the Screen Actors Guild. The voice of Darth Vader, Terrance Mann in Field of Dreams, Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope, King Jaffe Joffer in Coming to America, Thulsa Doom in Conan the Barbarian, Mufasa in The Lion King or even Professor Banks in Soul Man, Jones always left his mark in any role. I'd see him portray anyone in anything and surely enjoy at least a little of the film. He's earned all the kudos (and is a proud Michigan graduate - at least we've got something going for us this year...).

Bachmann is Back - Crooked Fingers' new album, Forfeit/Fortune, was released today. You can get it here. Check out the song Phony Revolutions from the Baby Stew folks. Also, Stereogum has a video up for "Let's Not Pretend." So far, the sound is darker and even more stripped down. I will surely buy the album, but am a bit skeptical thus far. Let me know what you think.

Oh yesssss - Stereogum also has a new song from Andrew bird. Click here to have a listen at "Oh No." It reminds me very much of "I Saw the Light" by Todd Rundgren.

Stodger Dodger - Ebert explains his preference for movies that do it old school (but indicates that he's evolved a bit, too).

Not Frankenstein - Boris is playing the Empty Bottle on November 29th. I urge you to GO! Go, go, go go! You must see Boris. Hopefully they have enough "electrical power" this time. Also, Smashing Pumpkins are playing the Chicago Theater Novemeber 18th and 19th. Even I've lost interest by now. But the Chicago Theater would be a much better place to see 'em than, say the Rosemont Horizon.

Superfreaky - Cameron Hawk guest-posts his Top Ten Movie Pop Songs, and it's absolutely perfect. Go to Scene Stealers and check it out.

Yo Quiero Dinero - Ugh. Beverly Hills Chihuahua won the box office last weekend. What is wrong with you people?!? A movie based (loosely) on Paris Hilton's pet? Sometimes I'm glad I left the country.

Unyielding Commissioning on C*$@% F&#!~@^$

I'm Just Talkin' About Shaft - 11 Words that Sound offensive, but aren't. If the title isn't compelling enough on its own, just trust me that this is not only enlightening but wildly hilarious. And if you don't believe me, may your home be overrun with cockchafer.

Suddenly I Realize - Greg Kot weighs in on Epiphany, the newest club opened by the Empty Bottle folks. Actually, he goes in to the history of the Empty Bottle and how the little guys are thriving while they stand up to the Wal-Marts of Chicago Rock N Roll. Reading that, for some reason, my mind wandered to long-ago radio ads for the Thirsty Whale, a club I never visited that no longer graces the Chicago scene. However, you can reminisce about the club and its demise which was likely due to its reliance on glam rock because they have a tribute website. When L.A. Guns and Trixter went belly-up, so did the Whale.

Hit Me - Roger Ebert was physically attacked by another critic at the Toronto Film Festival. Ebert, in case you haven't heard is still recovering from various ailments and can't even speak, let alone wrassle in the ailes. I have no worldly idea who Lou Lumenick is, but apparently he bopped Ebert for rather nebulous reasons. Even though I know nothing about the man, and because I originally misread his surname as "Limerick", here's my take on the situation:

There once was a man from New York
From his picture, he sure seems a dork
Roger gave him a tap
Which caused him to snap
Now Chaz may give his knees a torque

Wish You Were Here - Crooked Fingers has a new album to be released on October 7th, and you can check out one of the tracks, "Phony Revolutions" on their myspace page. The production level seems more suped up and it features an appearance from the mariachi trumpet that was employed on 2005's Dignity and Shame. They're on tour opening for Okkervil River and will hit Metro on October 14th. Just one of many shows I already regret missing down here in Argentina. Maybe this is the album on which they really break through? Frontman Eric Bachmann always delivers live, by the way. (Though if they never make it, it only opens the door for a potential Archers of Loaf reunion tour, right?) Also, Okkervil River asked him to cover one of their new tracks. He obliged. And here it is! His version of "Bruce Wayne Campbell Interviewed on the Roof of the Chelsea Hotel, 1979":