THE SADIES - Darker Circles

Like those old Holiday Inn commercials used to say, "the best surprise is no surprise", which pretty much applies to The Sadies' latest release. That shouldn't be read as a putdown, because it's always a pleasure to listen to the band deliver their patented and potent blend of country, garage, folk-rock and psych. Even if Darker Circles picks up where 2007's New Seasons leaves off, it's nevertheless a refinement on their previous album. In other words, The Sadies keep getting better, not to mention increasingly sombre.

The songs on Darker Circles are suffused with sadness, regret and loss, from the heartbreaking lyrics of "Tell Me What I Said" to the haunting tale of "Violet and Jeffrey Lee". There are many delightful moments to choose from here: the way the opening cut, "Another Year Again", culminates in a Bo Diddley beat-driven rave-up; the Byrds-y twang of "Postcards"; and the spaghetti western soundtrack feel of "10 More Songs", to name a few. Paradoxical as it may seem, immersing yourself in the gorgeous melancholia of Darker Circles is most certainly an uplifting experience.