Instant Album Review: Blitzen Trapper – Destroyer of the Void

Blitzen Trapper - Destroyer Of The Void

Instant Album Review: Blitzen Trapper – Destroyer of the Void (June 8, 2010)
Eric Earley, the composer and vocalist for the Portland-based band Blitzen Trapper, may not have the name recognition of some of his contemporaries, but his talent is among the best of his generation. His superb penchant for crafting engaging stories through song continues on the band’s latest album, Destroyer of the Void.

On the band’s fourth album, Blitzen Trapper builds off the success they achieved on Furr and takes it a step further. Their unique blend of psychedelic folk and experimental rock is near its apex on Destroyer of the Void.

Earley’s duet with Alela Diane is a highlight of the album. The harmony they capture on the ballad “The Tree” is reminiscent of some of the best pop-folk harmony that came out of the the late 1960′s.

Conversely, several tracks – most notably “The Man Who Would Speak True” – continues down the dark, lyrical path where “Black Water Killer” left off. Like Nick Cave, Johnny Cash and Lefty Frizzell before them, Blitzen Trapper’s stories about death-without-remorse challenge the lyrics of Colin Meloy (The Decemberists) and Tim Smith (Midlake) as some of the best of the last five years.

Musically the band incorporates the use of a piano more on Destroyer of the Void than on past albums. In fact, the album’s tenth track, “Lover Leave Me Drowning”, summons the essence of Billy Joel and Elton John’s mid-1970′s piano-incorporating peak through its use.

Fans of the band’s psychedelic guitar rifts and and multi-layer instrumentation will not be disappointed. Their use of strings, primarily in minor chords, are still rampant throughout the album.

Late-Spring 2010 boasts a litany of new releases by maturing bands who continue to release top-of-class work. Blitzen Trapper’s newest album is top among them. While time will tell if Destroyer of the Void becomes the most commercially success release in the band’s career, the quality of their work on this album is unmatched.

Editor’s Note: Click the links for DeadJournalist’s Instant Album Review of: The National – High Violet and Band of Horse – Infinite Arms.