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Nov 01, 2008 Crooked Fingers By Jim Scott

Putting on a pair of headphones and listening to Forfeit/Fortune is like stepping into a weird museum—everything catches the eye and the constant wonder is, “How did someone put all this in one place?” Eric Bachmann (formerly of Archers of Loaf) is the curator here, and he has assembled a bizarre but intoxicating collection, whether it be the horn heavy, Springsteen-esque “What Never Comes,” the more explicit pop of “Give and Be Taken,” or the gritty waltz of “Let’s Not Pretend (To Be New Men).”

It shouldn’t work. It should sound like a soundtrack or a playlist, but Bachmann holds it all together with the help of guests from Silver Jews and Devotchka and the glorious Neko Case, who duets with Bachmann on the stunning closer “Your Control.” Forfeit/Fortune takes a cue from all of them, especially Devotchka, and is colored by similar Baltic tones.

Though not steady enough to be a classic, Forfeit/Fortune is one of the better records of the year. (www.crookedfingers.com)

Author rating: 7/10