Red of Tooth and Claw
| Red of Tooth and Claw | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Murder by Death | ||||
| Released | March 4, 2008 | |||
| Genre | Indie rock | |||
| Length | 37:21 | |||
| Label | Vagrant | |||
| Producer | Trina Shoemaker | |||
| Murder by Death chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AbsolutePunk.net | 89% link |
| AllMusic |   link |
| Alternative Press | link |
| A.V. Club | C+ link |
| The Daily Iowan |  link |
| Filter | 84% link |
| Spin | link |
| Sputnikmusic | link |
Red of Tooth and Claw is the fourth full-length album release by American five-piece indie rock band Murder by Death and marks the first record the band has released on the Vagrant record label. The title comes from a reference in Lord Tennyson's poem In Memoriam A.H.H. It was recorded by Grammy winning producer Trina Shoemaker at Dark Horse Recording Studio in Tennessee and was released on Vagrant Records, on March 4, 2008.[1]
Red of Tooth and Claw is, as singer/guitarist Adam Turla puts it, a "Homer's Odyssey of revenge, only without the honorable character at the center".[2]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Comin' Home" | 3:35 |
| 2. | "Ball & Chain" | 3:02 |
| 3. | "Rumbrave" | 3:06 |
| 4. | "Fuego!" | 4:11 |
| 5. | "Theme (for Ennio Morricone)" | 2:49 |
| 6. | "A Second Opinion" | 3:19 |
| 7. | "Steal Away" | 2:05 |
| 8. | "Ash" | 3:32 |
| 9. | "The Black Spot" | 3:21 |
| 10. | "'52 Ford" | 2:25 |
| 11. | "Spring Break 1899" | 5:56 |
Reception
Overall, critical reception has been positive. The album holds a score of 72% on Metacritic. Allmusic states "...a taut, tense, elegant delivery...". Alternative Press giving the album four stars, says "They've finally realized their full potential...".
On the other hand, Spin feels it "...runs low on contemporary touchstones or appeal."
Personnel
- Adam Turla - lead vocals, guitars, keyboards
- Sarah Balliet - cello
- Dagan Thogerson - drums, percussion
- Matt Armstrong - bass
- Vincent Edwards - keyboards on "Ball and Chain"