Sonically and lyrically, few band’s can match the atmospheric delivery of The Handsome Family. ‘Gold’ is the opening song from the 2016 album ‘Unseen’, the duo’s tenth studio recording. The sonorous quality, depth and range of Brett Sparks’ voice is stunning and works brilliantly when entwined with Rennie Sparks’ beautiful vocal. The pair are known for their dark, literary lyrics and this song is a fine example of their poetry and narrative brilliance. We have striking descriptions like: “Now the sun’s sinking down, spilling gold on the ground,” alongside powerful, detailed storytelling: “Got a tattoo of a snake and a ski mask on my face, // but I woke up in a ditch behind the Stop ‘n’ Go. // Lying in the weeds with a bullet in my gut, // watching dollar bills fly away in the dust.” The pictures they create in your mind are truly cinematic and their moody music forms the perfect soundtrack to them. If you’re not sure where to start with a band that has such as extensive back catalogue, then why not start here? Brilliant, haunting Americana. Enjoy this and look out for tour dates in August and September in the UK and Ireland.
