John Andrew Frederick has been the sole constant and lead songwriter for the Black Watch for ages. He's also written a few books (novels and non-fiction alike) and generally seems to have found success in between the margins. This is the 16th full-length album for him, and he continues in the quietly dramatic style that has served the band well.

The Black Watch Witches! (ATOM Records)

This set is partially inspired by his latest work of fiction, which the press notes says is about a modern-day witch who happens to be a fan of My Bloody Valentine. That sort of subtext and humor permeates this album as well. Perhaps a more appropriate title would have been Conjurors, because that's what the songs are really talking about.

Yep, people who find a different reality when faced with the same things you and I see. Frederick and the Black Watch have often reminded me of Robyn Hitchcock, and this album doesn't shake that association at all. There's a fierce intelligence, a deep sense of humor and intricate melodies within a semi-psychedelic atmosphere. So, yeah, a witch that listens to MBV. Of course.

Frederick has threatened that this might be the last Black Watch album. Perhaps. That's not the first time he's threatened such a thing, and this is such a fully-realized effort that I can't imagine him simply shutting off the spigot. Time will tell. And time will look most favorably on this album.

Jon Worley