M.C. Taylor's Hiss Golden Messenger continues to cut a sharp figure in modern, countrified rock as he commits his latest album to wax. As Hiss Golden Messenger, he's gone deeper in to deliver some of the most personal songs he's ever written and recorded, framed as an exchange between Taylor himself and an imaginary teenage alias Michael Crow. Taylor's razor-sharp live band join for the ride, with Alex Bingham on bass and synths, Chris Boerner on guitar, Nick Falk on drums and Sam Fribush on keys, ensuring this is a widescreen sound to do justice to the 14 stunning songs contained within.