Even with the outpouring of indie-folk music over the last decade, Timber Timbre’s Taylor Kirk has remained largely undetected — which is probably the way he likes it. Since his debut album Cedar Shakes was released in 2006, the enigmatic Torontonian has been fine-tuning his creepy brand of roots music, with this latest release marking his first time in a studio. Timber Timbre isn’t the kind of music you get right away; it may take a couple of listens before the album’s brilliance begins to shine through the gloominess. The music is sparse and the album intentionally drags, like a serial killer chasing after a doomed victim in a horror flick. But Kirk is more than your average folkie with a fondness for vintage tones and worn-out records. And hidden beneath the eerie melodies and dark images are eight songs about age-old subjects like love and relationships. The album opens with “Demon Host,” a song every bit as haunting as you would expect from the title. The surprise comes near the end, when Kirk finishes singing about evil apparitions and the song is turned over to a ghostly choir. “Lay Down in the Tall Grass” reveals an obvious influence, ripping the organ riff straight from Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “I Put a Spell On You.” MORE
