the Murder City Devils

Editor's Review:

Despite having disbanded in 2001, The Murder City Devils are one of those bands that will forever draw a constant trickle of new fans and maintain their core fans due to legendary status backed by truthfully powerful music delivery. This Seattle-based five-piece made more of an impact on the national rock scene in their five-year run than most of the so-called garage rock bands that are now crowding the airwaves ever will. What’s more, The Devils had already come and gone by the time most of the bands now compared to them even existed.
Those lucky enough to have witnessed The Murder City Devils perform live will feel a familiar rush to the head listening to R.I.P., a live, mostly unpolished recording of the band’s last performance ever, at the Show Box in Seattle. The evening’s play list — 19 tracks deep — plays like a greatest hits of the band’s catalog, culling tunes like “Boom Swagger” and “Dance Hall Music” from their eponymous debut album, “I Want a Lot Now” and “Cradle To the Grave” from Empty Bottles, Broken Hearts, “Press Gang” and the amazing “Rum To Whiskey” from In Name And Blood, and “Midnight Service At the Mutter Museum” from Thelema. The real flashback feeling comes from the rough polish of the CD’s sound. The show was apparently plagued by the kinds of things that plague rock shows — noticeable equipment problems, drunken band and crowd members and other glitches — but rather than take away from the quality of the album, it all seems to lend itself quite nicely, poignantly embodying a Murder City Devils show. Beauty in chaos.

– Max Sidman

Write Your Own Review

Bookmark:

Record Label Sub Pop Records Released April 2003

Tracks Bear Away I Drink the Wine One Vision of May Midnight Service At the Mutter Museum I Want A Lot Now Rum To Whiskey Dancin’ Shoes Waltz Dear Hearts That’s What You Get Idle Hands Boom Swagger Dance Hall Music Cradle To the Grave Murder City Riot Press Gang Broken Glass 18 Wheels Grace That Saves