New Wax


We've sung the praises of Doug Burr numerous times on CO. His 2007 album On Promenade was my introduction to Burr and it was an unexpected jewel filled with lush instrumentation and accomplished songwriting. 2009's The Shawl, which found Burr reworking passages from the book of Psalms, was yet another solid contribution to the genre. Now Burr is back with another alt. country/folk-infused album of original work entitled O Ye Devastator, and its fitting cover art candidly depicts a bride with a pensive expression that seems at odds with her surroundings. O Ye Devastator is an album at odds with itself. Its sonic landscape is one where hope, despair, love, and pain all coexist. The album kicks off with the gorgeously foreboding "A Black Wave Is Comin," which plays as a fitting narrative not only for the album cover, but for the peaks and valleys of life. Burr somehow transitions from dark fare like "You've Been A Suspect All Your Life," to naively optimistic on "Do You Hear Wedding Bells." Elsewhere, Burr exhibits his knack for inhabiting characters on the imaginative "Chief Of Police In Chicago," and his band goes all-out Crazy Horse at the end of the catchy "At The Public Dance." While Burr isn't afraid to venture into the darkness on O Ye Devastator, more upbeat songs provide a respite while still proving to be psychologically complex despite deceivingly simple appearances. O Ye Devastator is a ride; emotionally turbulent and above all, triumphant. It's a beautiful album from a songwriter deserving of widespread attention. -- Capt. Obvious