Disciples Of Agriculture – This Same Fate

On their sophomore effort, the Disciples Of Agriculture have created better defined and more consistent sound, and the songs themselves are linked thematically. This Same Fate also benefits from more thoughtful, seasoned production at the hands of Eric “Roscoe” Ambel whose credits include the Bottle Rockets, Blood Oranges, and Backsliders (he must be glad to have finally gotten to the D’s). Ambel also fills in on guitar, vocals and keyboards, while World Famous Blue Jays ringleader Jeremy Tepper sits in on harmonica.

This Same Fate collects reflections on the desolation of small lives in a small town. “In My Town” limns its decline with an angry sense of helplessness, but “Girl Up The Road” tellingly depicts self-limitation on an internal scale, as singer Dan Finn reflects on a woman he’s admired for ten years without letting her know. Erik Kristiansen’s guitar and Keith Christopher’s bass seem to express perfectly what the vocals can’t. “Dumb Shitkicker” may rock harder, and is memorable for more than just the title refrain. The irresistibly head-bobbing drum and bass opening and bridge on “I Ride Alone” are high points of one of the best driving songs in recent memory. “Play the Fool” is a Stones song in waiting.

With Minneapolis/Seattle transplant Mark Boquist on drums, this is one of those rhythm sections that can make almost anyone sound good. Sometime Pavement contributor Sibil Firat’s cello provides grace notes on the acoustic tracks; it’s too bad more opportunities weren’t found for her.