Joel Thibodeau sings like a girl. An attribute that has led to some awkward moments at concerts. Where the audience collectively ponders if they’re watching a performing hermaphrodite.

Death Vessel is for all intent and purposes Joel Thibodeau. In much the same way as Sparklehorse is Mark Linkous. Yet live, and on record, he’s joined by a revolving roster of artists. They include the Baird sisters, Laura and Meg, of Espers. And there’s echoes of that band’s haunting folk on Stay Close, an album that originally came out on North East Indie in 2005. As there is of Aussie indie rockers Howling Bells.

Ultimately, though, what Thibodeau offers is purer. It’s bluegrass more or less. And there are few finer guitar pickers working the country circuit than the he that sounds like a she.

As well as his voice’s feminine quality, there’s a Teutonic edge too. A side that’s particulary evident on ‘Nothing Left to Bury’, a track reminiscent of ‘Stille Nacht’, ‘Silent Night’ in German.

All of which can be explained by the fact this New Englander was actually born in Berlin.

Joel Thibodeau sings like a girl. Judging by the bemused reaction at some of his live shows, to do so clearly takes something. It takes balls.

(4¼/5)