Amigo the Devil, the musical persona of songwriter Danny Kiranos, takes a sharp turn on his latest album, “Yours Until the War Is Over.” While his banjo and acoustic guitar might suggest a folksy John Prine vibe, this album delves into darker territory, drawing unexpected parallels to bands like Pantera and Flogging Molly.
The pervasive theme is a sense of internal and external struggle. Songs like the lead single “Cannibal Within” grapple with self-doubt and addiction, with Kiranos confronting his demons over a haunting banjo and bass line. This destructive nature spills out in “The Mechanic,” a darkly comedic portrayal of the perils of “White Knight Syndrome.” Here, Kiranos chronicles his misguided attempts to “fix” someone else’s problems, ultimately admitting, “I just needed something to fix.”
The album reaches its emotional peak with “Garden of Leaving,” a harrowing ballad about the loss of a child. Kiranos delivers the raw pain of the parents’ grief with unflinching honesty, leaving a lasting impact with lines like “The baby seat held nothing but a feeling.”
But “Yours Until the War Is Over” isn’t all doom and gloom. Amigo the Devil injects a wicked sense of humor throughout. “Once Upon a Time at Texaco” spins a hilarious yarn of a robbery gone wrong, while “I’m Going to Heaven” takes a bizarre turn with a ketamine-fueled quest for revenge. Kiranos even channels Tom Waits on “It’s All Gone,” adopting the iconic rasp for the chorus.
With its literary references (a nod to Hemingway in the title), dark humor, and emotional depth, “Yours Until the War Is Over” is a genre-bending exploration. It’s an album that will likely offend some sensibilities, but for those who appreciate Kiranos’ unique style, it offers a rewarding listen, filled with moments that are both funny and heartbreaking, sometimes within the same song. – Jason Felton
?si=VtFfeLbnPRodaFNI