Damaged

One of the best albums Lambchop has ever made

The genre of the music played by Lambchop, a band from Nashville, Tennessee, USA, is hard to define, the closest being the alternative country. Another unstable thing about this group is its lineup – the only constant member is a multitalented musician Kurt Wagner. This summer Lambchop’s ninth album Damaged has been released, the title of which is most probably connected with Wagner’s serious illness. The band’s defined feature has always been the unusual lyrics and Kurt’s ability to play on minor details and simple day-to-day events, artfully giving a certain sense to them. On Damaged, Lambchop’s most melancholic and serious-minded album, there is more introspection and thoughts concerning the fragility of life in the texts, and the front man’s singing has never been so deeply heartfelt. About 17 musicians have taken part in recording the album; therefore its musical background is so varied and rich in sounding, that at once it is practically impossible to define all the instruments playing. Solid and prolific in emotions, Damaged is one of the best albums Lambchop has ever made and definitely a catch for anyone who values really good music.

The greatest part of tracks on Damaged sound quietly calm

The traditions of folk, jazz, blues and rock are interwoven within Damaged turning it into an unforgettable piece of art. The lively opener Paperback Bible Prepared is a bright example of Lambchop unique lyrics: simple details, picturing usual life, are included with a purpose of describing the mere pleasant things in life, surrounding us every day. This device is come across all the way through the album. Prepared (2) begins with jazz piano parts, but later acquires more sullen notes, while steel guitar is most prominently heard on an ironic composition The Rise And Fall Of The Letter P. The slow, but mood rising song Beers Before The Barbican and a melodious soul and country combination on I Would Have Waited Here All Day are refined by the slight feeling of vulnerability in Wagner’s vocals. Trombones, cellos and violins go hand in hand with acoustic and rhythm guitars throughout Damaged, and every now and then the expressive piano is introduced to lead the melody in its own direction. The album closes with the most emotional composition The Decline Of Country And Western Civilization, dwelling upon both daily routines and some historic events and still sounding as quietly calm as the greatest part of Damaged.

Melancholy and philosophic thoughts against the background of a brilliant orchestra

Having undoubtedly the elements of country and blues, Lambchop’s music does not need to be classified according to fixed understanding of genres for when you are listening to Damaged its genre is the last thing on your mind. This album provides pleasure in any situation, but the lyrics draws attention and provokes deep reflections, so in the beginning it cannot be called the music for a nice background noise. Yet, when you have made everything clear for yourself, Damaged turns into a soft accompaniment for an evening relaxation, though not devoid of a shade of sadness. Kurt Wagner is ill and scared, and each day is a happy gift for him – that’s the key feeling of all the songs on Damaged, but it does not at all make the record dark or depressing. Irony and humor are still present on it, just not as much as on the previous works of Lambchop. Melancholy and philosophic thoughts against the background of a brilliant orchestra – that is Damaged, and hopefully, this is not the last of Wagner’s creations. He has always loved life and is not going to give up easily, and for now the beautiful music of the new album is speaking everything for him.