Here Comes That Weird Chill

iTunes Review

Adding "Band" to this Mark Lanegan release signals a shift in sound that's profound but still true to the personal blues of Lanegan's previous solo work. A long way from the psychedelic stylings of his old band, Screaming Trees, Lanegan here blurts and howls like a man possessed. The overmodulated cover of Captain Beefheart's "Clear Spot" proves he's ready to play at another level of the game. "Methamphetamine Blues" would appear on his next album, Bubblegum, but the remaining tracks belong only here, with both versions of "Sleep with Me" appearing at the EP's end. Chris Goss, Josh Homme, Alain Johannes, Greg Dulli, and Dean Ween make for formidable group of collaborators who know how to bring out the dark in Lanegan's work. "Message to Mine" shakes, rattles, and rolls like a fever dream. "Lexington Slow Down" takes to the piano for a somber parlor piece worthy of Nick Cave. The guitars often ride off the rails with Lanegan on top, trying to steer tunes like the title track and "Skeletal History" back on course. Fans of Tom Waits' later work should fine a soulmate here.