Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra La-La Band- 13 Blues For Thirteen Moons

Label: Constellation

Released 2008

The music of the full band (two guitars, two violins, cello, contrebasse and drums) has grown louder, looser, full of spittle and tears. On 13 Blues For Thirteen Moons, riffs are the backbone more than ever. Anchored by new drummer Eric Craven (ex-HANGEDUP), the band works its slow build and burn with newfound patience, sinuousness and ferocity. Whether methodically framing walls of sound over the four-on-the-floor punk dirge of "1,000,000 Died To Make This Sound" or exploding in sheets of free noise and melody on "Black Waters Blowed", the band has never rocked harder and has never sounded more determined, desperate and driven. A stuttered blues riff is the foundation for the album's title track, making its appearance after a blisteringly minimalist intro. "Engine Broke Blues" features a gorgeous set of chords that build inexorably from multiple guitar, string and organ lines.

Track listing:

1. 1,000,000 Died To Make This Sound 
2. 13 Blues For Thirteen Moons 
3. Black Waters Blowed/Engine Broke Blues 
4. BlindBlindBlind