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Murder by Death

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70,176 listeners (2,182,457 plays)

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United States (2000 – present)

Indiana’s Murder by Death (formerly known as Little Joe Gould) layers the vocal sounds of an old saloon with the haunting strings of a Hungarian folk dance and the hard driving rhythms of pure rock ‘n’ roll, producing what Stuff magazine has called “lush, orchestrated songs,” somehow simultaneously reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Radiohead. Added to that thick and intriguing sound are a series of dark and ironic lyrics, combining the mood and tone of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds with the narrative force of The Decemberists or a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Adam Turla fills out these sometimes frightening, sometimes beautiful lyrics by conjuring up a cast of character voices, allowing the songs to speak with the force of the characters themselves, and providing the listener with a sense of ensemble unique in rock music.

But this ensemble feel is not only the result of Turla’s vocal playfulness, but of the cohesive playing of the band itself. Sarah Balliet channels her Kentucky bluegrass roots through the skilled hands of a concert cellist, playing point and counterpoint to the lyrics and guitars with magnificent grace and style. Matt Armstrong’s bass guitar provides the rhythmic framework of the band, but also takes the lead with surprising frequency, guiding Murder by Death into driving highs and brooding lows. And Alex Schrodt’s drumsticks almost dance across the skins, giving the band what the Chicago Reader called “a rhythm section Nick Cave or The Faint would die for.” The result is a fascinating slice of American Gothic, replete with trail rides, whiskey shots and Old Scratch himself.

1	Fuego! full track	354
2	Killbot 2000 free download	276
3	Brother	271
4	Comin' Home	265
5	Ball & Chain	235
6	Until Morale Improves, The Beatings Will Continue	227
7	Boy Decide	220
8	Steal Away	212
9	Intermission full track	210
10	Ash	204
11	Sometimes the Line Walks You	193
11	Spring Break 1899	193
13	Pillars of Salt full track	192
14	One More Notch	190
15	A Second Opinion	188

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theyshootmusic wrote:
Monday morning

http://theyshootmusic.at/posts/Murder_By_Death - Videos with Adam Turla playing "Ball & Chain" and "' '52 Ford" solo and outdoor in Vienna.

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despise13 wrote:
9 days ago

a great band AND some of the nicest people I've ever met. fantastic combo. Can't wait to see them again.

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theSAVEDbrother wrote:
11 days ago

very true, its almost degrading.

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fivetrife wrote:
last month

some bands just shouldn't have a similar artists list

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Allfuckedup wrote:
last month

When I ordered Who Will Survive on vinyl, I accidentally got Red of Tooth and Claw, my order was fixed and I got to keep the new album. I just wanted to say thanks. It's amazing.

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bakesmusic wrote:
last month

Spring Break 1899 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! . !

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Amphetamiine wrote:
last month

Spring Break 1899 is one of the best songs I've ever heard.

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[deleted-user] wrote:
last month

great band and great live..we hope they play at our new club in Silverlake California CLub VAMPED http://www.myspace.com/vampedrecord HORRORS OF TOLEDO http://www.myspace.com/horrorsoftoledo These are some young kids making a buzz in California recently playing Mike Watts 50 th birthday and opening up for David Lovering of the Pixies and The Deadly Syndrome .They are currently being played in North Carolina ,New York,Georgia and recently have been as high as number 4 on KSPC in California's top 30 list
cereal_boxes wrote:
last month

Nooo they deffo shouldn't lose the Cash

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digital3lf wrote:
last month

I really wish they'd lose the Cash, but still an amazing band!

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LastFlowers wrote:
June 2008

Spring Break 1899 might be my favorite MBD song

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chickenliver wrote:
June 2008

come back to boise please

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redstahr wrote:
June 2008

amazing.

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lukebilly wrote:
June 2008

a brazilian tour would be great indeed!

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urben-disaster wrote:
June 2008

I completely agree with reget10; "This band was first on my list of bands I would choose if I could only listen to three bands for the rest of my life. I adore them." well said!

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Milkman519 wrote:
June 2008

Only a little more than 500 plays til 2 million! Woo!

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caragenerico wrote:
June 2008

brazil tour, for the love of mine

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mdownton wrote:
June 2008

I am definately drinking makers mark with them again next time they come to the uk

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eldt wrote:
June 2008

first impression: so johnny cash

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Still-Your-Fag wrote:
May 2008

Picked up their CD on holiday in London as a filler to top up my 3 for £10 deal (cause I liked the cover) and I was very very pleasantly surprised =) great wee band.

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