Lambchop frontman Kurt Wagner sings “don’t know what the fuck they talk about, maybe blowin’ kisses,” about 20 seconds into the band’s 11th album, Mr. M. In otherwise languid opener “If Not I’ll Just Die,” Wagner’s typically dry delivery sounds all the more jarring over creamy, swirling strings, seemingly mocking the sentimentality one might attribute to such sounds. Such is the world created by Lambchop, a band who musically weaves a mélange of light jazz, country and symphonic pop for Wagner’s deadpan observational delivery. Age and experience have not mellowed Wagner and co. — check out the breakdowns in “Gone Tomorrow” and “Mr. Met,” which uplift these beatific arrangements to new heights — but they sound more grounded than ever, and Wagner’s witticisms cut ever deep — in particular, “Kind Of’s” “it’s the kind of day you never wake up from” sticks out in the mind.

Also available on LP.


Free download of "Gone Tomorrow" by Lambchop.