On the heels of 2011’s critically acclaimed So Long John Fante, Irish duo The Lost Brothers’ third effort, The Passing Of The Night, is a record which resolutely adopts an “if it ain’t broke…” ethos. More often than not too, it yields positively mesmerising results, with the boys’ vocal harmonies impressively to the fore throughout. Recorded in five days and produced by occasional Raconteur and solo star Brendan Benson, the opus is steeped in old-school sensibilities, ensuring that it is both warm and engaging.
Opening proceedings with the rootsy ramble of ‘Not Now Warden,’ the record really kicks off during ‘Bird In A Cage’ thanks to some inspired honky-tonk piano. The electrified finger-picked guitars and mournful fiddles of ‘Send Me Off To Sleep’ add a Romany gypsy sensibility to the ‘50s-influenced jailhouse rock vibe. Star of the show is the weird and wonderful ‘Blue Moon In September’. Theremin and wheezing accordion (which recalls Tom Waits’ ‘Innocent When You Dream (78)’ in places) make this waltzing lullaby an instant classic. This is great music by any standards.
Their cover of ‘Hey Miss Fannie’ (originally by The Wink Westerners and featuring the then fledgling Roy Orbison) is a touching tribute to the great man too and slots in nicely beside ‘Widow Maker’ and ‘Blinding Glow’. The Passing Of The Night is The Lost Brothers’ best record yet. These guys are in it for the long haul...