A Lantern Carried In Blood and Skin [Digipak]

After some years of releasing albums in Europe, American group Lux Interna finally got a stateside break with a compilation on Projekt drawing on their earlier releases. However, while A Lantern Carried in Blood and Skin is an accomplished listen in general, it's easier to admire than to love. A large part of it lies with the fact that for a career-spanning release, A Lantern mostly showcases the group in one key mode -- sternly moody music with an overt dark country jones that fits in line with a large number of bands that hold Michael Gira up on the same level as Johnny Cash, often missing the humor, wry or overt, in both. A large part of it has to do with Joshua Gentzke's singing, unsurprisingly -- it's in the deep and commanding vein, but its unvarying nature means the effect can be a bit like Christian Bale's voice when playing Batman -- simultaneously growlingly effective and always on the verge of seeming unintentionally funny. That said, at points he leans toward a more overtly yearning tone, though it often sounds like a weirdly rough emo take on Glenn Danzig, which is very likely not intentional at all. Kathryn Gentzke's singing on "Flowers Under Glass," taking the lead after providing backing harmonies otherwise, provides some variety but it just isn't enough, while moments like the drowned-piano feeling of "Horizon" similarly is too little to make more than a gentle impact. No question that Lux Interna are accomplished enough at what they do, but at the same time there's just not enough there yet for the band to stand out further than the well-worn path it's already on. ~ Ned Raggett