Mark Lanegan Band - Live In Studio Antwerp (2012)

Obviously a lot of tracks from the latest release, but don’t be put off from splashing the £12 on this. There are aspects of these songs where some of the instruments come out more than on the standard release. The guitar work on Ode to Sad Disco and Gravedigger’s Song sounds more intricate and pronounced. The tracks from other albums also have new qualities that you could hear when being played live. A great example is on Resurrection Song where a second guitar is adding haunting soundscapes throughout. Sleep With Me to me is greatly improved over the original on Here Comes That Weird Chill.

Over all these little tweaks with the arrangements is THAT voice. Central to everything and dominating throughout. Wish You Well and the afore-mentioned Sleep With Me are prime examples of this and I think these are better versions than the originals. There is less grit and more warmth in his delivery and it suits really well in my opinion.

Listening to Lanegan sing now compared to the early Screaming Trees releases makes you wonder what he has subjected himself to throughout the years that has shaped his voice in this way, although you can imagine. I read elsewhere this week that you could add Lanegan to Tom Waits and Johnny Cash as a singer who can portray world weariness through song. I think that he is above them both and I hope in time that more come to appreciate what should be an (inter)national treasure.