Now on their fourth album, Innumerable Seeds of Calamity, the lead vocalist M. Incroyable has the ability to howl out the catchy arrangements by Kevin Lacey with a haunting sound and still has the talent to slow down and musically be a storyteller.  Their percussionist Deacon may be possessed or a possible deal with the Devil has been struck.  Gritty yet smooth is the best description as The Peculiar Pretzelmen grind out their unique music.

 

Pay the Rope starts you off in the proper dark yet finger strumming mood.  You will find yourself in an old Western theatre house with the house band on a hot streak that night.  Dirty Susan is up tempo and gets the off kilter story telling rolling through a cross between a saloon and a dark cabaret.  Burn Your House Down will take you straight back to storytelling singers in old whiskey saloons.

 

Dead Hand would fit nicely in a Theatre de Macabre.  M. Incroyable belts this one out driving as hard as the gritty percussion.  Hammer/Nails drives the pace back up to nearly frantic levels.  Blistering banjo and percussion of all types are highlighted.  Money McGillicutty, just sit back and listen to the fast-paced ballad as they show off their versatility in strings, tempo, and good old fashioned performing.

 

Obsidian Blues pulls you back down to the bar so you can listen and sip your beverage.  You can smell the dust and hear boots on the plank floor.  Rio Rojo shows of some nice guitar work and matching vocals.  It is reminiscent of a good 60’s folk song.  Wash the Ground heads straight back out west will keep you tapping those toes and nodding your head with the beat.  Back in the Hole wraps it all up with high energy percussion, a driving insistency, and wailing vocals.

 

Give it a listen and enjoy.

 

Allan Gilbreath denies that he was raised by wolves, but still enjoys quiet moonlit evenings. He is a nationally recognized and award-winning author, publisher, speaker, and instructor. He has appeared on television, stage, radio, web/podcast, and tours the country in live appearances. He is  a Publisher at Kerlak Publishing, home of the Dreams of Steam anthology series.

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