Crooked Fingers - Red Devil Dawn (Merge, 2003)

Crooked Fingers
Red Devil Dawn
Merge
2003

Rating: 7 sailors take warning out of 10

Let me state for the record so you might get a feel for my take on the different records by Crooked Fingers: the first self-titled release would get a 10 out of 10; the sophomore effort, "Bring on the Snakes", an 8 out of 10; and the EP of covers, "Reservoir Songs", also an 8 out of 10. So when I give this record a 7 out of 10, it's really based on other Crooked Finger's albums, not music as a whole.

Most of this record sounds much more upbeat than previous efforts, due not only to an increased tempo but the addition of horns on a handful of songs that really challenge what you might think the stereotypical Crooked Finger’s song should sound like; particularly the seventh song, ‘Sweet Marie’, which almost sounds like Blondie’s ‘The Tide is High’. There are still the occasional sad ballads, but they don’t rule the album like in previous releases. Not that I dislike the slow songs, rather the opposite - but it is nice to hear the status quo of a Crooked Finger’s release mucked about with some.

If you already know and love the Crooked Fingers sound, you won’t be disappointed here; and if you’re looking for somewhere to start listening, this release will work for that as well. As long as Eric keeps putting out music of this caliber, I’ll keep listening and giving it good reviews. This will certainly be one of my favorite records of the year.

(By the way, for those interested, the song 'Red Devil Dawn' is not actually on this album, but it is on the Merge compilation 'Survive and Advance Vol. 2'. If such things matter to you.)