Blackbird Harmony is Texan Ethan Birdsong (great name). Anyone who has George Jones as a MySpace friend is going to be worth a listen, and with influences from Hank Williams to Joy Division is also likely to be viewing a battered world through a whisky glass - drained of liquid but full to the brim with sorrows. And so it is: don't come looking for a pick-me-up here.On this album he is backed by a band and female vocalist Mara Lee Miller (singer/songwriter of Bosque Brown) shares the limelight on several tracks - almost to the extent of deserving dual billing in terms of the decorative variation she brings to Birdsong’s laments. He has no sickly sweet country voice to match his name. Instead, it's darkly gothic country folk all the way with a mix of a flat growling Jay Farrah and a straining Neil Young. That very voice initially made this a tricky album to recommend up front, yet somehow it becomes a distinctive asset and the album has got its mournful hooks into me. To be frank, I can't stop playing it.With the almost relentlessly downbeat atmosphere, Mara Lee Miller is most welcome and if anything is reminiscent of Christa Meyer from Puerto Muerto with a slight drawl. Her well judged additions put paid to any possibility of the album trailing off into a succession of dirges. Not for nothing is one track called 'Samaritans' - though throughout the lyrics are fine enough to maintain interest. In the face of all this, the wonderful 'Caution & Dispatch' is the easiest way in - a sublime male/female harmonising duet in classic style that Gram and Emmylou would have been proud of and featuring lonesome pedal steel from Danny Crelin. That's no fluke either - lingering opener 'Hardwood Exits' and ballad 'Tonight... If It's the Last Time I See You' are among others also graced with classy aching tones that might just have you welling up.'Picture Of You' matches the old time feel of 'Caution & Dispatch', but with typically barbed lyrics: "Just how broken must you be / To Love a man like me?" It appeared on his 2004 debut Angels With Outstretched Hands pared back, slower, and even sadder. The sole track that does raise the pace a little is 'Searchlights' though the tales of emotional damage continue: "Bruises that we never feel / Blisters that we keep concealed". The whole collection finishes on an uncharacteristic squeal of feedback - a final note of discomfort to match the mental disquiet dished out to all who'll listen. Birdsong has been that tortured stranger spilling his life story to all and sundry at the bar, and it has been hypnotic and haunting.A complete set of demos recorded solo in one night and emphasising the minimalist misery is available for download here, which just proves that Birdsong has a generous streak to match his melancholic one. With just eight tracks and less than twenty-five minutes, this is short but oh so bittersweet. Enjoy ”“ if that’s not some kind of oxymoron. 81%Blackbird Harmony on MySpace Blackbird Harmony Official Site