Black Heart Procession

The Black Heart Procession has quietly been putting out beautifully bleak records every year or two since their inception in 1997. 2006’s The Spell, if not their best record to date, is probably their most accessible to the run-of-the-mill hipster not necessarily looking for music to slit his/her wrist to. Not that this release does not have its dark moments, they’re there; you just have to search a little deeper and listen a little more carefully to discover them, as the somber words are often disguised behind bubbly guitar lines and foot tapping drum beats.

As far as stand out tracks, there are plenty. “Not Just Words” is as poppy as this band gets, the creepy “Return to Burn” echoes words of despair, “Places” offers a surprising glimpse of hope and a touch of optimism and the closing number, “To Bring You Back” is a melancholy conclusion to a great album by one of the more under-appreciated bands around today.

For more info see: blackheartprocession.com

---