the Murder City Devils

Editor's Review:

On In Name and Blood, the follow-up to Empty Bottle Broken Hearts, The Murder City Devils further establish themselves as the Northwest’s premier nitro-fueled rock ‘n’ roll outfit. This recording is huge-sounding, a grinding mixture of pure rock ‘n’ roll riffs, fist-in-the-air, heart-on-the-sleeve attitude and a songwriting consciousness has been developing nicely since the group first formed. Devils fans know and love the infectious sound, and newcomers can’t help but get caught up in the slightly retro, dynamic and driving songs that typify the group’s sonic emanations.

The most notable aspect of the music on the latest release is the full-time inclusion of Farfisa organ grinder Leslie Hardy, whose haunting ivory-tickling accents the music in a way that is truly unique. Farfisa licks spearhead tunes like "Press Gang," "Rum to Whiskey" and "Somebody Else’s Baby," and adds crucial backing on other tracks; the sound is sometimes out front, other times slightly buried in the mix, but is always an integral part of the overall package.

Fontman Spencer Moody provides lyrics, that, while far from cheesy and pathetic, are open and honest and speak of dark human weakness ("Idle Hands"), the power of rock ‘n’ roll ("Lemuira Rising"). Moody’s vocal style ranges from the classic rock ‘n’ roll caterwaul to a rough, yet surprisingly smooth croon; he even manages to pull off an obscure Neil Diamond cover ("I’ll Come Running"). The core of The Devils is a powerhouse rock band — percussion with conviction; riff-mongering, solo-squeezing rock guitar; thunderous, anchoring bass lines, and an overall charge that just can’t be outrun. In Name and Blood is quintessential Murder City Devils.

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Record Label Sub-Pop Released April 2000

Tracks 1. Press Gang 2. I Drink The Wine 3. Bunkhouse 4. Idle Hands 5. Rum To Whiskey 6. I'll Come Running 7. Demon Brother 8. Lemuria Rising 9. Somebody Else's Baby 10. In This Town 11. No Grave But The Sea 12. Fields Of Fire