Album Review: John Murry - The Graceless Age

The debut album of Southern American singer-songwriter John Murry, The Graceless Age, is an album of pure torment, lost causes, of bad mistakes and the terrible aftermath. But, most of all it's the reaction to Murry's confusing childhood as a fundamental Christian delinquent prone to narcotics and the distance he has from the world. The Graceless Age speaks straight from his black heart and gives it to you straight.

It's a hard one to pigeonhole; and it's best not to as there's so much going on. Whether it is the sweeping death ballads, the crunchy, fuzzed-out love songs, or the deeply moving sonic soundscapes, there's something eerie and desperate about it. His voice is much like J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr, with the downtrodden, heavy and deeply contemplative American accent. The best way to describe it is fuzzy, effect-heavy country music – country on drugs perhaps? Little Coloured Balloons is a midnight love ballad; it reeks of dark bedrooms, broken hearts and coffee. Very simple chord progression, but the soundscape created by the multitude of effects and addition of strings creates a deep, ethereal feel. Penny Nails features a woman on vocals in an uneasy song. Reassurance is needed and it's another desperate ballad. Although, the chorus (“This isn't love”) paradoxically gives the song some lighter shades. Southern Sky paints a vivid picture of Southern America. It's vast, dry, sparing and broken telling the story of a “filthy little town” with the unstrained voice of Murry, seemingly putting no effort into the vocal melody.

Country music has met its broken uncle.