All but a rock opera, Must Love Teeth weaves a psychedelic plot of seduction, disillusionment, and rebirth in a 49-minute whirlpool of cathartic release. Former Calliope Musicals frontwoman Carrie Fussell styles herself in BRUCE as an Eighties-colored psychopomp that’s part raven, part roller rink superstar. The album, Fussell’s first project since Calliope Musicals’ 2022 disbanding, opens with four strut-worthy songs set in a world where wandering minstrels play 808 machines. “Water Pitcher” is interwoven with electronically canned banjo riffs; “Hot Shot’s Tab” builds and crashes over marching band trills; “Perfect Stranger” swells with Fifties Broadway strings; and “Cherry” thunders over a western thriller bassline, all while absurdist lyrics soar on operatically harmonic wings. “Angels in the Outfield” and “Deth (Crows)” make further use of Fussell’s expressive vocal range, employing a flirtatious lilt reminiscent of Angel Olsen and Lana Del Rey paired with breathy runs that’d be at home in a production of Oklahoma! The back half of the LP lived a past life in Fussell’s solo discography, including quick-cadenced pop track “You’re Only a God; You’re Only a Man” and cinematic cincher “Kitty of the Year.” BRUCE celebrated its release with a filmed live performance every bit as theatrical as the music demands – complete with burlesque and ballet – suggesting a glamorous life ahead for this character-rich album.
BRUCE
Must Love Teeth (self-released)
BRUCE performs at Chess Club on July 24.
This article appears in July 25 • 2025.