SPRINTER (DLCD)

The Old Ceremony returns with their new album, Sprinter, a rich, haunting collection of southern gothic pop. Lead track "Magic Hour" combines a noir melody with earworm lyrics that will come to you in your sleep. Produced by Mitch Easter (Let's Active) with arrangement help from Chris Stamey (dB's) and a shining guest appearance from R.E.M.'s Mike Mills, this record proves that it takes a village, or more specifically a humid southern town to make a classic album.Sprinter's direction reflects Haskins' recent experiences as a featured performer in an acclaimed series of live concert performances of Big Star's classic album Sister Lovers (aka Third), with a rotating all-star cast that's included Easter, Mills, Stamey and Big Star's Jody Stephens.Resisting preconceived genre pigeonholes, The Old Ceremony draws freely from a boundless wellspring of stylistic influences to create music that's unique and personal. Frontman/songwriter Haskins' richly detailed lyrics paint complex, intimate character sketches, while the band employs a wide palette of instrumental textures to construct cinematic chamber-pop soundscapes that are both emotionally evocative and effortlessly catchy.