This past summer Chicago’s alt-country husband/wife duo The Handsome Family issued the follow-up to 09’s studio release Honey Moon with Scattered: A Further Collection of Lost Demos, Orphaned Songs and Odd Covers. This is a compilation in the true sense of the word, with Rennie Sparks (bass, banjo, vocals, and lyricist) also furnishing the album cover art illustration and Brett Sparks (vocals, guitar, keyboards) composing the music and arrangements from songs performed throughout their almost 20 year career together. While Scattered’s 18 tracks are essentially a bonus album to The Handsome Family’s longtime fans, it also functions as a great introduction to the pioneers of modern gothic country. From studio to home recordings, debut album to recent covers of Hank Williams and Bob Dylan, the record is expansive and includes standouts like the cover of “Eleanor Rigby”, an alternate take on “June Bugs”, and “Tranquilized” Brett’s intensely personal and solemn take on life after treatment in a mental hospital for bi-polar disorder. As a self-released edition, Scattered is only available on The Handsome Family website and on their 2011 tour. – Written by JFelton
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