Good grief. Dougie Poole has even invited the grim reaper for a drink on The Rainbow Wheel of Death. Be it the wayward life in these times or being part of a generation gifted with millennial malaise, the Brooklyn cosmic country traditionalist has never shied away from finding a shred of humor in the most unfortunate circumstances. Grappling with its most morbid subject reveals as seriousness a side as can be in his novel approach to twisting a tried and true sound up in his own wry wisdom while giving his songwriting a push a few steps forward just as everything else feels like it’s stuck in a moment (or a recurring dream.) The comfort of Poole’s warm baritone as pedal steel waltzes through cemeteries and hears ghosts of past lovers buzzing inside neon synths makes it a tender reflection on everything ending, eventually. In a way, life has a funny way of always haunting us whether you’re dead or not.

Highlights: “High School Gym”, “Beth David Cemetery”, “Must Be In Here Somewhere”

Dougie Poole’s The Rainbow Wheel of Death is available now on Wharf Cat Records.

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