Hiss Golden Messenger
Lateness of Dancers
Reviewed By: Brian Roser
The first notes of the first track made me think this band has a great future. Pretty soon, this album will be playing in every supermarket in America. Move over Bob Dylan, there’s a new sheriff in town. The album cover features singer MC Taylor standing next to his dog with a contrite look on his face as if to say “I’m sorry if I kept you up all night with my howling.” Then at the end of the song “Day O Day” there are actually crickets in the background. When a band finishes a song and you only hear crickets, that’s supposed to be a bad thing.
Although, come to think of it, this is a folk album. The crickets put you less in mind of a singer who earned no applause and more of a screened in front porch in Shreveport; letting the cool air relax you after a hot, humid day. That’s when I figured I should maybe give this guy a chance after all. Turns out this is actually a good album. One of the few times when you can use the word “groovy” unironically. Not only is this good folk music, but MC Taylor actually went to graduate school to study folklore. I don’t think even Bob Dylan managed that one.
If you are not in the mood for easy listening, you may need to give it a few songs before you get into the groove. Once you do though, I hope you find Lateness of Dancers as enjoyable as I did.
Rating: Listenable
