Haun’s Mill

Away

Like a gang of buddies boozily reminiscing on the back porch behind the bar, Haun’s Mill hoists a glass to the spirit of love lost and found on its second LP Away. Singers/songwriters Nord Anderson and returning Austinite Eliza Wren pledge their devotion in “Down,” “Stay That Way,” and “All for You,” but call that intent into question by setting their love notes to creepy minor chords, jangly percussion (courtesy of former Gomez/Sea of Thousand drummer Keith Palumbo), and a sinister bleat of accordion. “Cannot feel my fingers,” the pair harmonizes on “Rise,” brief as it is. “Cannot feel my soul.” Clearly all isn’t well in the kingdom of heaven, but bitter sweethearts write the best tunes, and Away pokes at the wounds with a banjo and a bleary smile.

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This article appears in September 7 • 2012.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.