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1 of 3 open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com MUSIC LISTS HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER BONNAROO PRIMAVERA SASQUATCH! We look at our favourite tracks from the duo THURSDAY 7 MAY 2015 09:07

We've been listening to Hiss Golden Messenger ever since their outstanding debut Poor Moon hit our ears in 2012. Luckily for us, the duo of MC Taylor and Scott Hirsch will be hitting European shores this summer, with a show at Primavera before playing the likes of Sasquatch and Bonnaroo this summer. We have a look at our favourite HGM tracks below.

1. Under All the Land

It takes some absolute musical tekkers to whack out a country song daring enough to let a few guitars come in the middle. This blew our minds the first time we heard it, though that might be because all we understand about coming happens right at the beginning. God we wish we weren't so alone. Anyway, a superb track from Poor Moon. When MC Taylor demands, 'Let that big dumb bell of freedom ring' we can't help but look forward to those guitars.

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2. Jesus Shot Me In the Head

The first time is always the best. Again, with reference to the last song, this rarely rings true. Our first time mainly involved disappointment, laughter (theirs) and lots of crying (ours). Also confusion about the number of people involved. Luckily, the first Hiss Golden Messenger tune we heard was much kinder (and gentler) towards us. A country tune of the classic variety, it mentions Jesus (of course), getting drunk (of course), shooting pool (of course) and motels. An absolute belter of a song about drinking and misery and the forlorn open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com search for redemption.

3. Sweet As John Hurt

open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com We got called out for our ignorance with this tune not long back. We thought John Hurt referred to the English actor from Merlin and I, Claudius. We were - as we often are - very wrong. This sweet John Hurt was an American guitarist, sometimes known as Mississippi John Hurt. In a way we felt HGM should have included this in the song for clarity, but then Sweet as Mississippi John Hurt probably wouldn't have rolled off the tongue as easily. There's a reason why we don't write the songs. Or play guitars. Tennis elbow.

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Oh, why did we drink so much whiskey! Why did we sleep with that barmaid! Why did we punch all those aggressive bikers in the face! True, we may have only ever uttered the first of those sentences, but this cracking, rocky opener to Haw allows us to imagine saying all those things. And that makes us feel all warm and cool inside. Much like whiskey.

Here they are doing a live version with the wonderful Megafaun.

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5. Cheerwine Easter

Bring on the trumpets! We put this one in as it shows the band's versatility. What other band would precede a song like this with a folksy ballad and follow it with a string-laden instrumental? Not fucking U2, that's who. Or anyone else for that matter. Maybe The Rolling Stones, but only if you paid them a lot of money. A lot of money. A jazzy belter of a bastard of a tune, it's one of the many reasons why the album Haw is such a classic.

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6. Brother Do You Know the Road?

Another plaintive number here, but, if you don't like plaintive, go listen to sodding disco. Oh great, you actually went and listened to disco. A little like Jesus Shot Me in the Head, this b- side from the single Southern Grammar showcases multiple vocal talents within HGM as well as bluesy, twangy guitars. Almost as versatile as our use of adjectives. Here's another live video, with MC Taylor performing alongside Bowerbirds and Christy Smith of The Tender Fruit.

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7. Oh Little Light

Although this is a track off Poor Moon, we've gone for the acoustic version from 2013's Bad Debt because it highlights just how good the group are with a stripped down, bare, acoustic sound. Also, we couldn't write the word stripped without giggling.

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8. Pittsboro Farewell (Two Monarchs)

An instrumental number, this one shows the band in all their confident, musical pomp, with celtic strings carrying the tune through, giving it a nice, whiskey-tinged fireside feel. Like getting a nice big hug while knowing it won't be long before someone comes up and punches you in the face. A bit like going to Yates's.

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9. Why are you so scared of my wood?

It's so big.

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No, no, we haven't got happy in our pants again. It's Mahogany Dread, and it's a big tune with a capital (note, there wasn't actually a capital so it's expressive) b. Another one from Lateness of Dancers, we love the bluesy guitars and the poppy rhythms. And we're terrified of mahogany. And oak. But not beech. Beech is a wuss.

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10. Drum

For those who thought Hiss Golden Messenger couldn't end an album on a positive note. Well, it's not exactly sunshine and lollipops but it's a little perkier than on previous albums, not that we're against a moody closing number here at Festival Baby. A cracking finale to last year's (that's 2014 to those of you who can't remember) Lateness Of Dancers, there's something a little gospel-like about this one. And that's just lovely, isn't it now? Have it!

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