The Soulsavers
Broken

The Soulsavers (featuring Mark Lanegan).

Or: when he doesn't miss a beat (him).

The greatest living artist of the entire pre and post grunge scene.

I decided to write the review of this album at the second track "Death Bells". And thus, I took the risk of the rest of the album. Latest work 2009 by the Soulsavers. Already reviewed here with the previous album from 2007. The first track is a piano instrumental. Beautiful atmosphere. Intro track nonetheless. The second brings the mentioned "Death Bells". What can I say. Lanegan's voice on a round rock sound, just the right amount of electronics needed, and here is one of the best tracks of 2009. You can listen to that voice over and over in disbelief. Clearly, it's always Lanegan who makes the difference. A singer who is in high demand. He joins more bands than a prostitute with clients. One of the most beautiful voices in rock, hands down.

The listening then decides to continue with the third and fourth tracks, two vaguely soul ballads. Pleasant, but they lack the flair of Death Bells.  "All The Way Down" still a soul approach but here Lanegan's voice unfolds magnificently. His soul lament duets with the choir in a manner worthy of a soul-singer, and the band honors its name.  "Shadows Fall" and this is a piece in full Lanegan style, similar to "Field Songs" with harmonica and everything, a slow ballad. "Can't Catch The Train" and the slow ballads continue, I begin to suspect that the energy that drove me to the review was just an episode. A beautiful track nonetheless, which wouldn't look out of place in Lanegan's first two solo albums. Along with "Death," the best track.

"Pharaos Chariot" and indeed the atmospheric slow ballads continue. Sure, following Lanegan's voice takes very little effort even when the track doesn't burst with originality. "Praying Ground" and the voice is that of Red Ghost (a nickname hiding an Italo-Australian name, I'm told Rosa Agostino). The most boring track. Mercilessly. "Rolling Sky" and it's a duet between Red and Lanegan, saxophone in the background. But well... On with the last two tracks, and we reach pure atmosphere. In the end, "Death Bells" tricked me a bit, but I can tell you that along with  "Can't Catch The Train" they're worth listening to this album. Indeed.

The rating? How can I? Five is out of the question. I love too much the solo works and with the Gutter Twins. Four? Let's say maybe yes. But... Only because Lanegan is involved. Watch out, though, the two tracks I mentioned, perhaps three, are anthology-worthy. On YouTube, there's a Mogway Remix of a slowed down Death that captures the essence.

Enjoy listening.

Alex