Over the Rhine - The Trumpet Child (Southbound)

I'd like to thank the ex-colleague who passed on Over the Rhine's last album, the wonderful Drunkard's Prayer, and inadvertently introduced me to the band.

The Ohio-based group has rapidly become one of my favourite groups, and the 2004 double album Ohio is now firmly ensconsed in my top five albums of all time list.

On to the new effort then, which is another sweet, bewitching minor masterpiece.

While Drunkard's Prayer felt like you were privy to an intimate show in the band's living room, The Trumpet Child transports you to an all-night club where a crack band runs through the Great American Songbook.

Though comprising all original material, the songs have the feel of a collection of old favourites as Over the Rhine tackle slinky jazz (Trouble), upbeat country rock (Entertaining Thoughts), the clanking cabaret of Tom Waits (explicit tribute Don't Wait For Tom) and good-natured folk (the half sincere/half jokey If a Song Could Be President).

The common thread throughout is the stunning vocals of Karin Bergquist, whose soulful, slurring voice is a thing of rare beauty that aims straight for the heart.

My one reservation is that the whole thing has something of a "hey! Look at how versatile we can be!" feel, which mutes the emotional impact - something the last two albums had in spades.

But when faced with songs this good, such complaints seem downright churlish.

Rating: 4/5

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