Personnel: Jamie Barrier (vocals, guitar).
Recording information: Chicago, IL (02/07/2003); Dub narcotic, Olympia, WA (02/07/2003).
Tennessee's the Pine Hill Haints serve up gritty and loose indie Americana on the five-song Bury Your Hate in a Shallow Grave. Recorded by Calvin Johnson at Dub Narcotic Studios in February 2003, the disc's live sound is instantly eminent, from the opening of the startlingly hypnotic "Wayfaring Stranger." Led by guitarist/singer Jamie Barrier, the sounds creeping in behind him are peculiar by design: Katie Kat plays mandolin and washboard, Travis Hightower plays washtub bass, Roger Holdombe plays snare, and Rymodee fills out the quintet on harmonica and saw. The group does justice to the gospel classic "Wade in the Water," followed by the folky and uptempo title track. The too-short disc ends with the charming "Where the Roses Never Fade," recorded live in Chicago. Dubbed by Lelp Records as "a country-infused Black Heart Procession," the group's energy and spirit are infectious on first listen, a notable asset for any recording. ~ Stephen Cramer minimize