The Gutter Twins

Saturnalia arrives amidst some very high anticipation. The stellar careers of Greg Dulli and Mark Lanegan, each spanning decades, evoke lofty expectations. They certainly need no historical introduction.

All 12 songs on this CD are incredible. Taken as a whole, the aesthetic – from songwriting to production to track listing to artwork – is exceptionally crafted, with a cohesiveness that shows the true strength of this pairing. Individually, every single track connects to and transports the listener. What makes this more remarkable is the depth of subject matter and the emotional mining that must’ve gone on during writing. Both voices not only weave with one another effortlessly, but both actually carry the weight of the dark lyrics and melodies.

Within these dozen songs, rock, blues, soul, folk and spiritualism are stripped to the core: naked, confused, perhaps weary, searching for warmth and shelter, utterly vulnerable. “Stations” starts things off with immediate mood, while “All Misery/Flowers” is outstanding with Dulli’s drumming providing ample groove. “Who Will Lead Us?” is Lanegan’s search for the here & now as well as the eternal. The last track, “Front St.,” doesn’t tie everything together, but it does leave you with the understanding of exactly what muse inspired these two artists.

Simply stated: lay down your ego and let the songs possess you.