Credits:The Handsome FamilyDescription:TheHandsomeFamily'suniquetakeontraditionalistcountryfindsanotherfineplatformon2003'sSingingBones.Husband-and-wifeteamBrettandRennieSparksexploredusty,melancholicterritory--bothmusicallyandlyrically--bycombiningatasteforrootsy,old-schoolcountry(forwhichBrett'sresonantbaritoneisperfectlysuited)withliterate,evocative,image-richlyrics.SingingBonesfindsallthesequalitiesinplace.Scenesandcharactersfloatthroughvividlydrawnsettings("24-HourStore,""Whitehaven"),whiletheinstrumentation,arrangements,andambienceconjuredarkforestsandbackwoodsghosts.Asold-worldastheHandsomeFamilymightseem,thereisanincisive,contemporarysensibilitytoeverything,fromthegleamingproductiontotheperfectlychosenwords.SingingBonesonceagainprovesagainhowthegroupcanseamlesslybridgethegapbetweenpresentandpast.~AnthonyTognazzini