The Handsome Family release their new album, Unseen, with its unique mix of country instrumentation and intriguing surrealist lyricism. It explores the unseen stories, people and places of the American west, where The Handsome family live - in Albuquerque, New Mexico...

The Handsome Family has a sound you'll either love or hate. There's a laid back attitude on display here. On occasion the vocal mix clashes and sounds a little strange. Personally this was a little too much for me to overlook. The occasional nasal whining didn't help endear the music to me much either.

In fact, the only track I really enjoyed was the tongue in cheek 'Back in my Day' which takes an amusing look at things that the singer believes has changed since they were younger - some of them are true, while others are just nostalgia (for example the stars didn't shine brightly, nor did the summers last longer).

The album contains 10 tracks (42 min, 06 sec) and if you're looking for something different; a little quirky, then you may well enjoy this album.

4

Nick Smithson