The Delines are known for their evocative, detailed storytelling. Characters and situations that could easily be found in one of Willy Vlautin’s compelling novels are condensed into a few powerful lines of song, drawing us into the lives of everyday people in a few verses of musical poetry. The band’s latest single, “Maureen’s Gone Missing”, is a typically tight and desperate narrative, in which the main protagonist has robbed a drug operation and then skipped town. It’s the stuff of movies and the music is equally cinematic.
From the beginning, there’s a brilliant driving rhythm from Sean Oldham on drums, giving the narrative a real sense of movement. As usual, Freddie Trujillo’s warm bass and Cory Gray’s keyboards provide an atmospheric foundation for Amy Boone’s gloriously characterful, soulful voice. At times, she’s almost speaking, telling a tale, the perfect match for Vlautin’s lyrical intent.
The video is loosely inspired by 1970s television favourite “The Rockford Files”. We find Amy listening to messages on the answerphone – in the calls, there are all sorts of references that fans will enjoy. Look out for all the little details that place is back in time and add a touch of humour, like the framed certificates.
This is the latest single from the brand new album “Mr. Luck & Ms. Doom”, a collection that will certainly be at the top of many end-of-year lists. These new songs were inspired by Amy’s request to Willy after a gig in Dublin: “Listen man, you have to write me a straight up love song where no one dies and nothing goes wrong or I’m going to lose my mind.” The title track followed, one of Vlautin’s most romantic songs to date. However, these are still stories of misfits and outcasts, failed criminals and those who are down on their luck. Only The Delines can make the bleak so beautiful.
