Producer Howard Redekopp (New Pornographers, Mother Mother) at times dominates the music on Afterlife Blues with his bang-chime-reverb imprint. The title song benefits from getting some sonic space to stand on its’ spooky, Kinksian own: “From up here, it makes you seem so small.” Elsewhere, lyrics get fogged and instruments fall into a blender. A fine mess of songs are trying to break through. The more a tune relies on strong rhythm, like on “Time,” the better chance it has of realization. Some lovely harmonies perch upon the edge of being, and might have been even more eerie without electronic intervention.