Lambchop - Damaged

There are occasions when the brilliance of an album is immediately apparent and easy to quantify. In other instances, however, the beauty of a record is more subtle, sneaking up and catching the listener off guard. These pieces of music have a certain quality about them that is more difficult to describe yet carries as much artistic significance as those albums falling into the first category. Damaged, the latest offering from Lambchop, is just such a record, possessing a delicate grace and subtle charm that is magnetic while never becoming overwhelming. Songsmith Kurt Wagner is the central, constant figure in this fluid, Nashville-based ensemble (the band’s Merge Records bio lists the group as containing “anywhere from 5 to 17 players”) and he maintains an oddly charismatic presence that infuses each of the album’s ten tracks. Initially, Wagner’s detached, ironic vocal delivery seems incongruent with the rich harmonic color contained in the instrumental arrangements. Yet, as Damaged progresses, Wagner’s manner becomes more familiar and adds weight to the material. The genius of Damaged lies in the diversity of its compositions and vibrancy of its orchestration. “Paperback Bible” opens the album with a gently melodic ostinato played on acoustic guitar and the harmonic support of a warm string section. “Prepared [2]” follows with the jazz chords of a single piano soon joined by another opulent chorus of strings. “Beers Before the Barbican” ebbs and flows nicely, guided by faint steel guitars and fleeting horn swells which allow the song to fluctuate between elements of jazz and country. Trying to pigeonhole the album into a certain style or dynamic is futile as the tracks seem to slightly appropriate ingredients from a number of genres and craft a distinctly understated and unique style. Beautiful in an off kilter sort of way, Damaged is an album full of sparkling pop gems and deserves an audience that will appreciate the effort and ability displayed by Wagner and company. [www.lambchop.net]