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Review
Not one to rush things, Auguste Arthur Bondy spent the best part of a decade fronting indie-rock group Verbena before embarking on a solo career, and readily admits he “didn’t really know” what he was doing with the band. Released earlier this year in America, When the Devil’s Loose follows and builds on the sound of 2007’s sparse American Hearts. Conceived in snowy upstate New York and completed in Mississippi’s Water Valley, it’s the fecund surrounds of the latter that infuse the album: a gentle eulogy to the southern states where Bondy was raised.
Like The Felice Brothers (a clan he counts as his brothers-in-law), Bondy taps into a rich vein of Americana with rare skill and conviction. Ian Felice and Greg Farley of that band both contribute here, as do Macey Taylor of Conor Oberst’s Mystic Valley troupe and Nick Kinsey of Elvis Perkins in Dearland. It goes without saying that fans of the aforementioned will find much to love in this record, Bondy sharing his contemporaries’ dusty, widescreen influences while sprinkling his own brand of Southern Gothic throughout.
The clearest example of this is Oh the Vampyre, a stark lament that serves as his own contribution to the genre. “I could drink the world and never get my fill,” he sings, his voice dry and weary yet commendably undefeated. Elsewhere, I Can See the Pines Are Dancing makes for a rousing ode to resilience and False River surges with sweaty, claustrophobic intent. On the Moon is a gorgeous, unaffected ballad, bowing out with a minute of twinkling noise that segues into The Mercy Wheel, a rich full-band strum of the kind Bondy and his players repeatedly nail here.
When the Devil’s Loose is not a grand or showy album, and takes a few listens to ease itself into your consciousness. Once nestled there it offers abundant reward; though not the kind to wind up high in the forthcoming end-of-year lists, its depth and quality ensure it will comfortably outlive many that do. A triumph of restraint and simple songwriting talent. --James Skinner
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Something Special,
By
This review is from: When the Devil's Loose (Audio CD)
A A Bondy has produced a brilliant album of rare and haunting beauty that is simply a pleasure to listen to. "The Mightiest of Guns," is one those tracks you play to death, the beautiful guitar melody shimmering behind some of the most intelligent lyrics you are ever likely to hear. This dovetails into the stark, swaying "A long parade." There simply isn't a dud moment - whether it be the soft, piano driven "On the Moon," or the toe-tapping "I can see the pines are dancing."Bondy is still relatively unknown on these shores and in a funny way I hope he stays so.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warning: May Seriously Improve Your Health,
By The Ghost of Blaise Cendrars (Somewhere between this world and the next) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)
This review is from: When the Devil's Loose (Audio CD)
The first time I listened to this album I kept thinking, 'He can't possibly maintain this. The next song won't be as good. He'll do something to mess it up.' And yet...each song IS as good as the one before it (and when an album starts with a song as majestic as 'Mightiest of Guns' that's saying something). Bondy's voice has a vulnerability that immediately draws you in (Bob Dylan without the whine). His lyrics are restrained, modest, and all the more powerful for it. The production is gloriously fuzzy, as if the music has been slowly distilled through a barrel of whisky. The whole thing is laconic, laid-back, seemingly effortless. There are quiet acoustic moments, rousing foot-tappers ('I Can See The Pines'), even - to my ears at least - Otis Redding-inspired soul ('To The Morning'). No two songs sound the same. When the subject matter is sad - as it often is - it never becomes maudlin. In fact, when the album's over you feel happy, elated, as if by just listening you've done something worthwhile with your day. The world seems a better place. I haven't listened to anything else for days...and I can't stop smiling when I do listen. It's THAT good. My only criticism is that the songs are all too short and there aren't enough of them! Hope he writes more soon.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb,
By pete shields "axepete" (Mansfield Notts England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: When The Devil's Loose (MP3 Download)
The internet, when used correctly, can be an amazing piece of technology.I regularly scour the web to see if I can find undiscovered ( to me ) gems. I was fortunate to stumble upon an extrodinary talent in A.A.Bondy. This album, When The Devil's Loose, is superb. It opens up with the brilliant " Mightiest Of Guns " and does not disappoint from there on in. An album swathed in glorious moods, melodies and lyrical prose. The wonderfully lazy vocal delivery is reminiscent of David Gray meets Thom Yorke,at times, especially on the superb title track. " Oh The Vampyre " brings Tom MacRae to mind .... but more than that, there is an understated Dylan-esque quality here. " False River " is probably my favourite track - the guitar sound and instrumentation are exquisite. " On The Moon " is also an amazing song - the, almost " end of the pier, honkey - tonk piano " giving it a Tom Waites flavouring. A.A.Bondy is a brilliant singer / songwriter - I am delighted to have discovered this album - for those of you who have not yet heard it, I urge you all to purchase a copy
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