Lest you think Gravenhurst is a goth-metal band, prone to a Marilyn Manson fashion sense, we’re here to set you straight. Gravenhurst is pretty much one guy, Nick Talbot, Brit/guitarist/writer/producer/singer (joined here by David Collingwood on drums), who makes music that is haunting, delicate, and dramatic, and who appears to be finding his way with each release to ever more solid artistic ground. The Western Lands is a beauty, and you know from the first track, “Saints,” with its tiptoeing percussion, twinkling guitars and mesmerizing vocals, that Talbot is in full stride on this release. Despite his propensity for droning moods and dark lyrics (“Saints” refers to a murderous bloodline, while another track paints an awful picture of men bent on something evil), the brooding never threatens to suffocate, it only serves to enrich the lighter elements. “She Dances” (dedicated to Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny) starts off with flinty guitars and rough edges, and is soon tamed with Talbot’s soothing, reedy vocals. A ‘60s Spaghetti Western twang drives the wonderful title track, which is instrumental, and “Trust” is saturated with a rich, Galaxy 500-ish palette, all flashback vibe and reverb’d guitar. Talbot’s second nod to classic folkies Fairport Convention is his decidedly unconventional cover of Richard Thompson’s “Farewell, Farewell,” which continues the spacey, shoegazing feel. The disturbing “Hollowmen” is the one all-out rocker that will knock the breath out of you. Talbot’s yin and yang are in fine harmony on The Western Lands.