Usually a vocal drone is associated with liturgical, or at least spiritual, music, along with its use occasionally in more experimental sounds. Mason Lindahl’s haunting, droning vocals has both spiritual and avant-garde qualities, but it is grounded in a raw, personal vein. Though “Serrated Man Sound” is far from a country record, it sure has that high lonesome feel.

Lindahl makes songs like “Warm Ducks,” “Nine,” and “Greater Clapping of Hands, The” harrowing and comforting in one stroke. His guitar playing, spare one minute, jagged and cranky the next, hints that the overall message is hopeful. Uplifting and euphoric even when enveloped in echo and moan, “Smaller Sizes Bigger Words,” “No Man” and the title track are bursting with life. Sonically and lyrically Lindahl finds his subjects among corners and small unnoticed moments, but he gives them grace and power.

“Serrated Man Sound” demands repeated listening. Songs that seem despairing and full of joy, and vice versa. Mason Lindahl takes and shapes sounds both fragile and grumpy and molds them into the effortlessly epic. This is gritty poetic stuff. 8/10 -- Mike Wood (7 October, 2009)