Singer-guitarist Daniel Romano (Attack in Black), Fred Squire (Calm Down It’s Monday) and the Julie Doiron join finger-pickin’ and harmonizin’ forces here. The dominant theme of these songs, mostly ballads, is hurt. Points of view switch from the one harmed to the one harming. Accordingly, the mood of this staunchly mono recording is mainly “dark and dreary” (to quote “Down by the Weeping Willow”). Though beautifully played and arranged, the material drags one down a bit too deep, except for “I Dream of Jeanie” or “Hallelujah I’m a Bum.” For the musicians, there’s joy in feeling low. For some listeners, a little more levity may have helped.
This article appears in Mar 4-10, 2010.