Let’s get one thing straight from the very start. “Smothered And Covered” is NOT (repeat NOT) a new HANDSOME FAMILY album, and certainly not the follow-up to the heralded “Twilight.”
Basically, “Smothered And Covered” is an 18-track collection of album out-takes, cover versions, demo tapes and oddities that were sitting around: “orphaned songs” as Rennie puts it in the album’s cover subtitle. Also, as it’s only available from the bands official Website and at their gigs (and possibly hand-burned?) it’s hardly fair to subject it to rigorous critical testing.
Still, despite the deliberately low-key approach, “Smothered And Covered” proffers plenty to recommend it, not least a clutch of nicely-executed cover versions that go some way in proving that THE HANDSOME FAMILY are purely the current genius keepers of Country’s death-fanning flames.
Indeed, the briefest exposure to Brett’s remarkable version of bluegrass pioneer BILL MONROE’S “I Hear A Sweet Voice Calling” makes it abundantly clear that such dark sentiments (in this case, imminent child mortality) were commonplace decades back.
“Smothered And Covered” also collects together some fine examples of Brett and Rennie’s capabilities in weaving new forms out of old patterns. For evidence, go straight to their poignant take of KRIS KRISTOFFERSON’S enduring hangover classic “Sunday Morning Coming Down”, where Brett sounds genuinely penitent; or alternatively the gorgeous gospel-ly “Trail Of Time” (where Brett again surpasses himself) or “Far Away Eyes”, an unusually faithful run through of THE ROLLING STONES’ jokey (?) country tune from the “Some Girls” LP that will be familiar to those of you who read UNCUT magazine.
To these ears, the HANDSOMES’ bluegrass-imbued “Knoxville Girl” (made famous by THE LOUVIN BROTHERS and here featuring JON LANGFORD’S PINE VALLEY COSMONAUTS) is marginally shaded by THE LEMONHEADS’ murderous rocked-up version, though their resurrection of the ancient “Banks Of The Ohio” is a harmony-steeped treat and absolutely spot on.
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Meanwhile, the SPARKS’ own compositions featured here are a mixed, but largely satisfying bag. Some of ‘em are instantly familiar, like the demos of “#1 Country Song” (almost as good as the original) and “Down In The Ground”, which sounds more unhinged (is that possible?) but less effective at this stage. Of greater interest, perhaps, are “Natalie Wood” – a “Twilight” out-take built around a marimba melody and foursquare rock beat that may or may not be about the death of Mrs. Robert Wagner – and the opening “There’s A City”, slow and creepy and demonstrating that THE HANDSOME FAMILY are equally adept when employing tinkling keyboard melodies. More please.
A number of tracks are linked by Brett’s, um, avant-garde piano and cello doodlings, but – in the tradition of CALEXICO’S “Hot Rail” these act as appetite whetters, especially when introducing something like “The Last” (no, not THE REPLACEMENTS one), a drowsy, alcohol-sodden sleepwalk built around a woozy bass line and melodica. Even the final two belief suspenders – “Stupid Bells” and “The Weinermobile” just about make the grade. The first is (get this!) an (anarchist’s?) Christmas message from our heroes, singing “The candy cane is Satan’s walking stick!!” and the second samples the el track trains so beloved (!) of suburban Chicagoans.
Poignant, puzzling and potty in roughly equal proportions, “Smothered And Covered” finds a comfortable home for these “orphans” and then maniacally torches it, so until “Twilight”s real follow-up arrives, let’s enjoy grubbing around in the charred remains.
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