[4/5] By the time he got to Dignity And Shame, his latest record at the helm of Crooked Fingers, Eric Bachmann had long since abandoned the off-kilter indie-pop magic of Archers Of Loaf for a mellower '70s songwriter vibe, at times recalling early Springsteen trying extra hard to be Roy Orbison. On To The Races, his first proper solo release, the sound is closer to the Boss' Nebraska-as Will Oldham would have done it-haunting, reflective and drowning in sorrow. But despite the stripped-down essence of Bachmann's new "Bonnie Prince" Eric approach, a lot of what works here does so because he's fleshed out all that whispering in your ear with violins and other understated window dressing. (SADDLE CREEK) Ed Masley
 Official Website: http://www.saddle-creek.com
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