You can always rely on Will Oldham to turn your expectations upside down. The bearded miserabilist known as Bonnie Prince Billy usually plays gigs that resemble church services, so hushed and reverential is the atmosphere. So naturally, for his first live album he's recruited a hard-rocking band to bend all of his best songs out of recognition. Weirdly enough, it works - the heavy metal guitars and rowdy rhythm section actually enhance Oldham's darkly gothic sensibility and the performances are driven by sheer raw energy. There's also a few cryptic stage announcements, which all help to bolster his image as one of the great eccentrics of American music. One of the oddest live records you'll ever hear - and one of the best.
