Men who can stretch their vocal range over the area traditionally reserved for women and victims of unfortunate bicycle accidents are often some of the most exhilarating singers around. Anyone who doubts this has clearly not discovered the ethereal wonders of Jeff Buckley or Thom Yorke, let alone Jimmy Sommerville. Alas, despite occasional exceptions like Tracy Chapman, the reverse doesn’t seem to be true nearly as often. Fortunately, Thalia Zedek, formerly the vocalist for Come and Uzi, has such a female baritone voice showcased on this album—part Leonard Cohen (whom she covers on the elegiac “Dance Me to the End of Love”), part Nick Cave, with the phrasing and sensibility of gloomed out Elliot Smith.

The viola and slide guitars give the whole affair a Western tinge, like the Cowboy Junkies on a bad trip. Yet despite the unremitting, minor-key downbeatness of it all, the album never reaches the depths of claustrophobia and despair that gives Cave his unique edge, and makes him so hard to stomach for most; instead it occasionally wanders into Radiohead territory. Her voice truly is an experience in itself—a gloriously wrecked set of pipes from the desolation of the moon, that at times has the gravely timbre of a suicidal Peter Gabriel. The lyrics are all of a piece with the music: “You’re all alone tonight” (“Strong”); “I know I can’t win” (“Treacherous Thing”); “Your God hates me” (“1926”). The standout track is the magnificent “Desanctified (Full Circle),” which exemplifies Zedek’s vocal power and musical range and supports the whole with a stunning viola solo. Been Here and Gone will not open up any new avenues in modern music, but it will provide perfect accompaniment for the solitary small hours.

4/5

—Andrew R. Iliff