Crooked Fingers

You may remember Crooked Fingers’ Eric Bachmann from his former band, noise merchants Archers of Loaf, which enjoyed considerable college-radio and media attention in the 1990s. Unlike his former band, Crooked Fingers showcase Bachmann’s songwriting prowess and arrangements. Red Devil Dawn is actually the Fingers’ third release and the first of the band’s for Merge Records, also responsible for the latest Imperial Teen and Radar Brothers sides. On “Don’t Say a Word,” we’re treated to the violin work of Andrej Curty and the shuffling rhythms of drummer Brian Giblet. Although comparisons to Nick Drake and Tom Waits are inevitable, there also are subtle nods to early Neil Diamond and even Leonard Cohen.