Murder By Death is the name of the 1976 spoof mystery movie starring Eileen Brannan (also see Clue) which involves murder, death, and crime. Murder By Death also happens to be the name of a band you should know in 2006, and their music also involves murder, death, and crime.
Murder By Death’s third full-length release In Bocca Al Lupo is definitely the band's best to date. They have traded in amazing instrumentals for amazing narrative lyrics and tighter songs. The Death’s current sound is based around the cello playing of the only female in this foursome, Sarah Balliet. This wasn’t always the case though, as they used to have another member who played keyboard. Balliet has taken over the keys and continued her cello playing, which has affected the band’s sound, both recorded and live.
The always prominent cello adds to the haunting sound of Murder By Death, but the lack of a steady keyboard player forces Balliet to choose which instrument to play. This decision takes away from the sonic possibilities that Murder By Death used to be able to accomplish, which I like. Murder By Death went into the studio, probably with this thought; thinking of writing songs that would be possible to pull off live and still be able to be comparable to older tunes.
In Bocca Al Lupo is similar to their previous full-length release Who Will Survive And What Will be Left Of Them?, with its integrated thematic tracks that fit together like links in a fence. Instead of following the tales of a small western town that is visited by the devil, In Bocca Al Lupo is based on the classic epic The Inferno by Dante Alighieri.
Even the title, In Bocca Al Lupo, is Italian (The Inferno’s original language) and roughly translates to “In the Mouth of the Wolf.” Anyone who has read The Inferno will recognize the Wolf’s significance. The She-Wolf in The Inferno is one of the beasts that blocked Dante’s way to the Mount Of Joy, frightened Dante the most, and forced Dante to take his journey into hell. And in to hell Murder By Death takes us, as they touch upon themes of sin, transgression, punishment, and lastly, redemption.
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