Rasputina is often referred to as a ‘genre-busting’ band, that phrase inevitably combined with words such as ‘steampunk’ and ‘chamber rock’. The truth is a little more complex: breaking cellos out of their expected place in musical society by allowing them to behave as contemporary instruments – mainly guitars – whilst retaining their unique sound and inherent limitations extends the scope of Melora Creager’s songwriting. Rasputina’s latest album, the dazzling Oh Perilous World, uses historical fragments as the basis for literary and ‘dark folk’ storytelling only recently bettered by Joanna Newsom. But this isn’t an album which refers backwards to classical composition, rather it bridges and borrows the stylistic invention of the 60s and 70s rock music.

In Old Yellowcake’s contemporary punk nuances (particularly helped by Jonathon TeBeest’s drumming) make it the most immediate song on the album, combining sweet and sour melodies with Melora’s renown vocal note-hopping. That it alludes to the ruin of Fallujah, makes it even more powerful than mere imagery or ironic title can do together.

Live:

Rasputina: Oh Perilous World – iTunes UK
Amazon UK