This album has a high-ceilinged feel, a warm, saturated sound established and maintained from the opener onward. That first track, “Bloodshot & Blistered,” featuring a drowsy vocal harmony between Maki and Howie Gelb, one of the artist’s main collaborators, is wonderful. (Guests also include Brent Randall, Dale Murray and members of Calexico.) Maki, a onetime Halifax resident, and her core players recorded this album in April 2008 in Arizona. This is night music by and for those who think clearest when it’s dark and cool. Maki’s best thoughts are “From Below,” “Carved in Sand,” and “Dig You a Grave.”
This article appears in Feb 4-10, 2010.