Song of the Day: Mark Lanegan Band - Nocturne

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription.  This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unrealeased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear.  Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Nocturne” by Mark Lanegan Band from the 2017 album Gargoyles, out on Heavenly Records.Mark Lanegan Band – Nocturne (MP3)Seattle-decorated alt rocker Mark Lanegan is a bastion that continues to fortify the old world of baritone-brazen singer-songwriters like Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits. He originally hails from Ellensburg, WA, where he co-started the 80s alt-rock band Screaming Trees, then later blazed a trail for his eponymous solo project in Seattle working with Goliaths such as Kurt Cobain, Mike McCready, Jack Endino, and Sub Pop. Decades into his solo career, Mark Lanegan has just released his tenth studio album, Gargoyles, a strong follow-up to his 2014 release, Phantom Radio. Gargoyles further evolves Lanegan's grim-weathered rock 'n' roll underworld where everyone in his lyrical anecdotes seems to have a gravelly timbre and a holistic dream-state in hell.

Preceded by the opening track "Death's Head Tattoo" on his newest album, Gargoyles, "Nocturne" hits quick with Martyn LeNobles's sludgy bass and Jack Irons' hammering drums intro. The rhythm section is swiftly escorted into a haunted cathedral of gothic guitar ambiance and ricocheting Moog where Lanegan's smokestack bellows then breath life into verses portraying a harrowing mise-en-scéne to some type of romantic or dreamy character - hence "Nocturne." An even more melodically rotund chorus fills his echoing lair out with shoegaze and chill wave connotations that result in a heightened form of sonic utopia that momentarily distract from the vivid  "holiness is burned away" and "the heavens open up and bleed" dystopia. "Nocturne" is appropriately a grim feature from Lanegan's new album, Gargoyles, and another dark knell to add to his catalogue.  

Mark Lanegan has upcoming European and US dates now through August in support of Gargoyles. He'll be live in Seattle at Showbox at the Market on August 24th. Look for more dates and more music on his website and Facebook page. For now, check out "Beehive" - also from his latest record - which you can watch and listen to below.