Ease Down The Road

Will Oldham is not a man who believes in making life easy. Since he changes his name the way others change clothes, following his career can be a devilish task.

All is forgiven, though, in the wake of his latest release, Ease Down The Road. While the song structures themselves are straightforward, his stories twist like knives.

On 'Sheep' he sings, "Born in sheep's blood, plain and simple/Washed out of my mother's temple/All around I heard them laughing/As mother she had stood there calving." The backdrop is intense - violins strain lyrically, drums pound and the song builds to a disturbing climax.

The artist's vocals are equally powerful. By turns grainy and crackling, smooth and slinky, the piano-led opening track comes close to Nick Cave territory while retaining its own inimitable tranquillity. The virtually a cappella 'Careless Love' is tender and rich with emotion, while 'A King At Night' is minimalist and graceful.

Dark humour is the only kind to be found on Ease Down The Road. On 'Mrs. William', the artist sings desperately, "I'll sell my heart, I'll sell my brain/I'll sell my love and all my fame/My mother maybe, and my brother too/To raise the stake to pay for you"

Although there are phases where the music can be subtle to the point of stupor, nothing on this album is sub-standard. Even in the slowest of moments, gems reach out, to creep underneath the skin.

Eerily beautiful.