Radium Death

William Elliott Whitmore returns with his seventh album and it's a fuller sounding release. After the stripped-down sound of 2011's 'Field Songs,' Whitmore was willing to bring drums and other musicians, including David Zollo on piano and organ, into the studio for the new material. The songs assembled, while not a concept album, present a cohesive look into those recurring Whitmore themes of respect, protection, sustenance and survival. The blazing (even by William Elliott Whitmore's standards) opener, 'Healing To Do,' pulls no punches, kicking in immediately with the rhythmic shuffle of a full band, an organ, and Whitmore's upbeat rasp. The pace continues with songs like 'Trouble in Your Heart,' '1000 Deaths' and 'Don't Strike Me Down,' preaching patient hope, rebirth, renewal, and revolt over stomping drums, acoustic strumming and even an electric guitar solo. LP - With Download.