"The Stations" transitions well into "God's Children," and the album's first half starts to take shape. It's full of melancholic ambiguity, and the Lanegan/Dulli mashup expresses this ambiguity best. "All Misery/Flowers," for example, expresses the need to "hold on" while it also suggests an end: "Let’s ride suicide / Say what you want, but you make it, don’t lie." The religious ambiguity is also used for stylistic effect, and the blues/R&B influences of these two artists shows through, both in their vocal styles and in their lyrical themes.
Saturnalia takes a turn with "Circle the Fringes," another Dulli/Lanegan composition rife with strings and growing atmosphere. The album becomes more inward looking, suggesting inner turmoil rather than social concerns. On "Who Will Lead Us?" Lanegan moves through a spiritual ballad that leans on the musician's blues influences. The call-and-response between the guitar and the vocal styles is pure blues, but it's still tinged with the loud guitars brooding in the background. Lanegan calls out, as if to God, saying: "I think the chariot is coming / And if it should please you Lord / I give this trumpet up to Gabriel." Other tracks, like "I Was In Love With You" (a Dulli composition), focus more on personal relationships rather than spiritual concerns.
The album ends by tying up the loose ends left at the beginning of the album. Stylistically, songs like "Each to Each" and "Front Street" bring back the loudness brewing beneath the airy atmosphere that defines this album. Equally, there is more partnership between the two musicians, and on "Front Street," the album ends with the same thoughts that the album cover initially brings up: "Front Street ain't a place for a boy who / Likes to talk ways that boys do / Unstrung, young, dumb, comfortably numb." It conjures up an image of a boy in the street behind the camera who has yet to grow up and face the world, yet it also speaks to some of the most basic human concerns of adulthood.
There's no doubt that The Gutter Twins have something going for them, and Saturnalia is an excellent start. Don't expect these two '90's stars to stick to old clichés. Instead, expect an album that both reflects originality and a reflected sense of maturity. I have a feeling we may be talking about Saturnalia for years to come.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Interesting. I've heard so many great things about this record -- from the people that I work with during the day, to other writers here like Hathaway. Yet, your review is the first one that has really grabbed me.
I'm kind of the opposite of you by the way. I always liked Lanegan's writing, and especially his voice. But I was equally indifferent about the Afghan Whigs.
But if I'm reading you correctly here, it almost sounds like these two guys have gotten some sort of religion, or at least spirituality. Weighty stuff. I'll definitely have to check this one out.
-Glen
2 - Mark Saleski
nice review kevin.
though now i have to say that i just don't get Lanegan. hathaway thinks i'm a moron for this. oh well, the voices just don't resonate. i get nothing but dour fog...or something.
3 - Glen Boyd
First Tunnel Of Love, now Lanegan? Whats that in your ears again Saleski?
-Glen
4 - JR
I get Lanegan, and I can't get enough. Nice review, it captures the album's mood well, except for failing to mention the nice rocker, Idle Hands. This one could fly as a great example of true classic rock, if not for the layered, Middle Eastern sounds from the organ that give it great depth.
Their vocal styles are beautiful together on God's Children. Lanegan's voice is the album's gravity, and his baritone somehow, amid the gravel, conveys beauty, as well.
5 - zingzing
if america has a prince of darkness, his name is greg dulli. afghan whigs produced two of the greatest albums of the 90s: gentlemen and 1965. great shit. i'll be interested in hearing this.
6 - Kevin Eagan
Glen, I'm not sure if they've found religion or not, but religious metaphor is laced throughout the entire album.
"Idle Hands" is also a great song, they're all great songs.
7 - kbro
Truly, there is something religious about those two preachers of sin! Saturnalia is so dark and grabs you by the gut. It's been clinging to me for weeks. Basically the only album I'm listening to right now. Keeps the jollyness of springtime away!
I had quite a religious interview experience with them. Check my blog!
8 - tom haniszewski
whos the artist that took the picture on the album cover? satunalia