Tarnation

The gossamer vocals of Paula Frazer grace Tarnation like some ashen Appalachian spirit that hovers over pastoral melodies. Her old-timey, yodel-inspired inflections and wispy, watery singing are accompanied by the down-tempo rhythms of a rustic backline, and much like those of 4AD's early artist roster, Tarnation's songs carry the artistic weight of the now-defunct English label. However, the band managed to inject its own signature style of Alt Country way before that tired label was ever invented. Like Hope Sandoval, Frazer is a visionary who seems to write songs for the escapist's delight. In other words, Tarnation's spooky country music is well-suited for packing that corn-cob pipe and kicking back with your feet up for the duration of its playing time.