RIGHT AWAY, GREAT CAPTAIN!: THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD THIEF

GENRE | ALTERNATIVE/FOLK
VERDICT | DOUBLE THUMBS UP
LABEL | FAVORITE GENTLEMEN RECORDINGS
RELEASE | 6.12.12
RIGHTAWAYGREATCAPTAIN.BANDCAMP.COM

Andy Hull is a busy man. As a member of Bad Books, Manchester Orchestra, and his solo project, Right Away, Great Captain!, he’s released four albums within three years. The latest and last installment to the RAGC trilogy, The Church of the Good Thief, was worth the wait. With it, the saga of a 17th century sailor who catches his wife in an affair with his brother continues and ends. Hull released The Bitter End in 2007, The Eventually Home quickly followed it in 2008, and now four years have passed.

The album really feels like four years have passed, but in a good way. Musically, the album is much slower and more mature than the former. It’s a solemn remembrance. More than that, it’s a plea of forgiveness. Sombre as always, Hull nails it home. His voice powers over the minimalistic guitar and piano as he reveals himself not only as a songwriter, but as a true storyteller. The last four tracks progressively get sadder.

“It’s the end; it’s nothing I ended,” Hull says.

This may or may not be the end for RAGC, but there’s nothing like throwing on all three albums and re-listening to the beauty play out. Hull has released the project in digital format and also in a three-part vinyl set, currently sold out.

RIGHT AWAY, GREAT CAPTAIN!
THU 7.19.12
BRIGHTON MUSIC HALL
158 BRIGHTON AVE.
ALLSTON
9PM/18+/$15
BRIGHTONMUSICHALL.COM