Murder By Death will release a new album Big Dark Love on February 3rd, 2015 via Bloodshot Records. This is the band’s seventh full-length album and first since their 2012 Bloodshot debut Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon.
Big Dark Love reflects a different, bigger, more complex side of the band. As hinted in the title, the 10 songs circle a central theme of love, only in this case, the oft-traveled topic is examined through non-traditional kaleidoscopes: the love of a parent for their child, the struggle between unconditional love and morality, loving to excess. There can sometimes be a dusky patina of despair overlaying glints of hope.
For a band that has built its formidable, near 15-year career around a consideration to tension, release, bombast, ecstasy, and highest-highs vs. lowest-lows, it is something to say that this is Murder By Death’s most dynamic release to date. Sonically here, their signature sound – rootsy indie rock, cinematic gothic ballads, and rousing pub rock shout-alongs – mixes with enlivening new stylistic elements – touches of pop, synth-y electronics, and psych rock – only hinted at on previous albums.
Big Dark Love was recorded at La La Land in Louisville, KY in the summer of 2014. It was produced by Murder By Death and Kevin Ratterman, and mixed by John Congleton.
Big Dark Love track listing:
1. I Shot An Arrow
2. Strange Eyes
3. Big Dark Love
4. Dream in Red
5. Solitary One
6. Send Me Home
7. The Last thing
8. Natural Pearl
9. It Will Never Die
10. Hunted
Starting in late January, Murder By Death will embark on a lengthy U.S. tour in support of Big Dark Love, the first time fans will be able to hear music from the new album. The tour begins on the West Coast in Seattle on January 30, continues across to the East Coast in February, and eventually doubles back and wraps up in Bloomington, IN in mid-March. The band will also tour through the Midwest in late May.
Murder By Death Big Dark Love album release tour dates (or here):
30-Dec Denver, CO Gothic Theater w/ Lucero
31-Dec Denver, CO Gothic Theater w/ Lucero
2-Jan Estes Park, CO Stanley Hotel
3-Jane Estes Park, CO Stanley Hotel
4-Jan Estes Park, CO Stanley Hotel
30-Jan Seattle, WA The Crocodile
31-Jan Portland, OR Star Theater
3-Feb Salt Lake City, UT Bar Deluxe
5-Feb San Francisco, CA The Independent
6-Feb Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst Atrium
7-Feb Los Angeles, CA The Roxy
8-Feb Santa Ana, CA The Constellation Room
9-Feb Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom
10-Feb Albuquerque, NM Launchpad
12-Feb Dallas, TX Club Dada
13-Feb Austin, TX Red 7
14-Feb Houston, TX Fitzgerald’s Downstairs
15-Feb Memphis, TN Hi-Tone Café
24-Feb Pittsburgh, PA Mr Smalls
25-Feb Cleveland, OH Grog Shop
27-Feb Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
28-Feb New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
1-Mar Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
4-Mar Hamden, CT The Ballroom at The Outer Space
5-Mar Charlottesville, VA The Southern
6-Mar Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
7-Mar Washington, DC Black Cat
8-Mar Raleigh, NC Kings Barcade
10-Mar Tampa, FL The Orpheum
11-Mar Orlando, FL The Social
12-Mar Atlanta, GA Terminal West
13-Mar Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
14-Mar Bloomington, IN The Bluebird
28-May St Paul, MN Turf Club
29-May Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom
31-May Chicago, IL Subterranean
