The Boston collective Willard Grant Conspiracy are still relatively unheralded on this side of the Atlantic but that will surely change if they keep making albums as good as this. Their music is a curious American hybrid, confessional tales of New England heartbreak played with a southern, bluesy edge. It all adds up to a weary, gothic ambience with memorable melodies and some effectively moody vocals by Robert Fisher (who in places sounds remarkably like Nick Cave). A perfect album for those who like to sit in smoke-filled bars and wallow in elegant sadness.
