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Paradise of Bachelors

Plaudits don’t come much better than an endorsement from David Bowie, who describes Hiss Golden Messenger’s music as “Mystical country, like an eerie yellowing photograph.” The heartbeat of the band is the pairing of songwriter MC Taylor and multi-instrumentalist Scott Hirsch. A Biblical thread runs throughout, weaving faith and emotive frankness into this tapestry of the senses, addressing the complex relationship between the past and the future.

Red Rose Nantahala is a rousing, rampant slice of upbeat Americana, exuding a confident swagger, while The Serpent Is Kind (Compared To Man) is expansive in its charm, moving between country and folk. Throughout, you can hear Taylor searching for the magic in body and soul, as exemplified in What Shall Be (Shall Be Enough), an affecting meditation of contentment.

Frequently tinged with gospel, the album provides access to Taylor’s emotions. These are songs about existence and progression; an authentic spiritual voice of sincerity for these modern, troubled times. www.paradiseofbachelors.com.

Matt Swain