In the past five years, Bambara have improved a great deal since I last listened to them. They have leaned into their darker side, and their singer is more comfortable in his own skin. The opening track makes it clear that in the time that has passed, he has come into his own voice. There is still a Nick Cave swagger to what they do. Though the more sonic punk-ish moments that unfold on "Letters From Sing Sing" remind me more of early INXS than the Birthday Party.
Female vocals are wisely layered over the smoky speculation that clouds "The Face of Love". The back room tavern feel of this song brings Crippling Alcoholism to mind. "Pray to Me" has more of a post-punk pop jangle to it. Then they get back to the gritty musing on "Holy Bones' where his vocal takes on a more rhythmic musing. There are some interesting guitar tones full of aching reverb on this one. "Elena's Dream' is more of a spoken word interlude with a girl's voice talking over jazz.
"Because You Asked" is moody enough to make it an effective ballad, with the plea of the vocals being convincing as the atmosphere comes into turn it into more of a dreamy pop song. It conjures images of early morning New Orleans. "Dive Shrine" is almost dancey in a more Jon Spencer Blues Explosion fashion. If this were the 90s "Loretta" would have been a big rock radio crossover hit. This album is a huge improvement for a band that has come into their own. I will give it a 9.5 .
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