Due in no small part to my continuing love of The Handsome Family, I have fallen in love with the concept of Southern Gothic. I have scouted more bands similar to The Handsome Family and in the process discovered genre pioneers 16 Horsepower whose album "Sackcloth n' Ashes" is very impressive. Something about the storytelling of Southern Gothic musicians has really drawn me in. I have always loved good songwriting, whether it be Bob Dylan, Ike Reilly, or Okkervil River, but the sheer imagination of songs such as "The Bottomless Hole" continue to amuse me, even after repeated listens.
But my obsession is not limited to music, film and literature have also become victims of my obsession. I just picked up Flannary O'Connor's book "The Violent Bear It Away" and am looking forward to reading it. I also plan on reading some Faulkner later this month. Likewise for film I have scoured the film world for movies such as "The Night of the Hunter" which embody this gothic ideal.
As for music however, here is a list of some of the essential music for Southern Gothic lovers:
The Handsome Family - "Through the Trees"
Johnny Cash - "American IV"
16 Horsepower - "Sackcloth n' Ashes"
Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots - s/t
Murder By Death - "In Bocco al Lupo"
Up tomorrow, I am going to do a track by track review of the latest White Stripes album "Icky Thump".
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