Doug McCombs is a figure in bands such as Tortoise and Eleventh Dream Day, and he also leads the sparse, nearly instrumental rock project Brokeback. Brokeback isn’t a group that stays in the spotlight frequently, and their latest record Illinois River Valley Blues landed more than ten years ago. Yet now, Brokeback are, shall we say, regrouping with a forthcoming release titled Colder, Milder.
Brokeback retain the same lineup they had in 2017, with Doug McCombs joined by guitarist (and solo artist) James Elkington, bassist Peter Croke, and drummer Areif Sless-Kitain. The album Colder, Milder was captured with McCombs’ Tortoise/Sea And Cake bandmate John McEntire. It features occasional vocals from Amalea Tchilds, along with string arrangements by Elkington and performances by Lia Kohl on cello and Macie Stewart on violin. The cover artwork was created by the late Rick Froberg, known for leading Drive By Jehu and Hot Snakes. Below, you can hear the meandering, contemplative title track Colder, Milder as well as the LP’s tracklist.
TRACKLIST:
01 “Great Danger”
02 “Invasion”
03 “Colder, Milder”
04 “Golden Palm”
05 “Blue Elephant, Black Cloud”
06 “Ark And Deluge Both”
07 “Dead Hands”
08 “Pigeon Dreamt A Man”
Colder, Milder is out 2/26 on Thrill Jockey.
