2006

www.altcountry.nl (NL), May 2006

Rating: Four out of five horses

My record collection is certainly better than average but so far it has been lacking German input. And that is not because of musical prejudice but rather because German Schlager, Neue Deutsche Welle, and Krautrock didn't do a whole lot for me. Singer-songwriter Markus Rill and his fifth album "The Price Of Sin" (Blue Rose), however, deliver ample proof that there is more to discover under our neighbor state's sun.

Rill was born in Frankfurt/Germany and spent part of the 90ies studying American literature in Austin, Tx.  However, he did not only immerse himself in literature, he also delved deeply into the local music scene. He has opened shows for Townes Van Zandt, The Drive-By truckers and Steve Wynn to name but a few. 

His album contains twelve self-penned songs and was recorded in Nashville, TN. Evidently, he enjoys quite a good reputation over there because the Tone Chaperone George Bradfute co-produced his album and the list of studio musicians working with him reads like a who's who of the Americana genre: Fats Kaplin (we'll soon review his newest project with Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch) plays pedal steel, mandolin, accordion, banjo and fiddle, Dave Jacques plays standup bass and Bryan Owings drums.

Together they weave a dark atmospheric tapestry thanks to Rill's thoughtful songs, his gravelly, intimate vocal performance and predominantly acoustic arrangements. In the opening number Singin' in The Cemetery, Rill commemorates a loved one's death three years ago. The album closer Not Ready Yet again touches on the subject of mortality - the song is sung from the perpective of a son fearing for his father's life. And then there's some touching love songs such as My Love Runs To You, Just So You Know and Out Of the Cold.

Undoubtedly, the album's outstanding number is The Price You Pay For Sin with its haunting description of the conflicting feelings of desire and shame overcoming the song's narrator after having had sex with his best friend's wife. Unfortunately, the album falls short of the maximum score because of two songs: Carry My Load and Wash Away The Stain. The album would've been perfect without them.

Peter Pleyte