The Wonder Show of the World by Bonnie Prince Billy & The Cairo Gang – Album Review
by Matt Callard
Entering his 40th year and more prolific than ever, this is Will Oldham’s 20th album (in his various guises) in an extraordinary career path that’s seen him take in mountain balladry, sea shanties, doom rock, alt-folk, film and stage acting and, recently, even stand-up comedy.
He’s an artist all right, but you could never accuse him of wilful artiness. Here, it’s the good old harmonies that make The Wonder Show of The World such a pleasure.
“More of the same, but different”
It’s a collaboration. Oldham delivers the lyrics while roving soul Emmett Kelly writes most of the music.
The tone is plaintively melodic, mostly acoustic, with occasional blasts of Neil Young-like electricity. Plus, naturally, it includes some of the best one-liners in modern music.
More of the same, but different. What more can we ask for?
7/10
