Blitzen Trapper

As the highlight of last year's Furr, "Black River Killer" found Blitzen Trapper spinning a Dylan-esque yarn of murder that's been resurrected for a new seven-track EP, sold as a CD-R at the band's recent live shows. Now officially released, it's thankfully more than just a stopgap to buy the band more time to work on Furr's follow-up, with the six new songs hinting where the band might be heading next. And things are definitely looking bright because chances are some of these songs might even find their way onto the next album, as at least a couple of them are as good as anything the band have previously recorded. They've settled into a place somewhere between the spooky Southern rock of earlier My Morning Jacket and the folksier moments of Okkervil River, and although these songs are both short and rough there's plenty to like about them. The band might have left their more eclectic side behind but this new focus should make their next album one to look out for.