The debut full-length from
the Snake the Cross the Crown finds them more fully developing the musical and lyrical themes that they began exploring on their EP, 2003's
Like a Moth Before a Flame. The sound of the Alabama-bred quintet is still a rich amalgam of rock and post-rock elements, with jangly guitars predominant and keyboards relegated to a tasteful backup role, both of them supporting plain-guy vocals and frequently indecipherable lyrics (blame it on the guitar-heavy mix and on singer Kevin Jones' rather lazy diction). What it all adds up to is a solidly better than average album that doesn't exactly stick in the brain for days after you hear it, but does do a good job of holding your attention while you're listening. Notice in particular the hooky "An Honest Misappropriation of Funds" and the slightly less impressive but equally pleasant "Gates of Dis," as well as the acoustic guitar-based "Brief Intermission," which could easily have been written by a less self-involved
Jeff Tweedy. Strongly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson