The Threshingfloor continues DAVID EUGENE EDWARDS‘ self-willed odyssey into the depths of his Nazarene Christianity. That’s hardly a surprise to anyone who’s been following the Denver-based artist’s near two-decade career with WOVENHAND and 16 HORSEPOWER. The main difference here is that Edwards folds his usual concerns for sin and redemption into his most expansive musical palette yet. Strains of Eastern European and other non-Western folk musics have long been present in Edwards’ vision, but here they’re more prominent than ever. Oddly, at the same time, Edwards’ debt to early dark rock bands, particularly JOY DIVISION, has never been more clear, which blends beautifully with the gypsy folk drones. Combined with Edwards’ usual evangelism (more concerned with Jesus than the devil, thankfully), the result is brooding, haunted, often gorgeous songs like “Terre Haute,” “Singing Grass” and the stage-setting opener “Sinking Hands.” Electric guitars feature prominently on the jaunty “Denver City” and the rocking “Truth.” but otherwise a bewitching mix of acoustic sounds and electronic pulses reign. The Threshingfloor is simultaneously one of Wovenhand’s most challenging and accessible records, a rewarding musical journey through the heart of a singular artist.
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