New Albums
JAMES McMURTRY
The Horses And The Hounds
NEW WEST
9/10
Lofty return: a visionary raconteur with much to say
Just his second set of originals since 2008, Texan McMurtry’s latest lifts storytelling-in-song to meticulous new levels. His sad-sack protagonists face troubles everywhere but the weight of mere human existence is evident too – especially on the brilliant psych-op tale “Operation Never Mind”. All-star guitarist David Grissom (Dixie Chicks, Joe Ely) provides intuitive roots-rock rhythms and leads, while powerful drumbeats sometimes clatter like guns, especially amid the hyperintense, bluesy title track. McMurtry’s dustbowl voice, meanwhile, catchy yet gruff as ever – and highlighted by “If It Don’t Bleed” – gets to the heart of his unique perspective.