While the album's cover (a sheepdog howls into the barren night, trying to draw attention to a possibly-injured fawn who might not make it through the night) invokes an emotive, somber listen, 'As Good As Gone' is exactly this, if not slightly hypnotic with its warm basslines and prominent electronics and synthesizers. The record - Nudge's fourth - is also a somewhat uncomfortable, jarring listen with here-and-there crescendos and jarring transitions. While Honey Owens' voice takes some getting used to, especially when the instrumentation has you [appropriately] spellbound, her soothing croons accentuate the different punches created by Brian Foote and Paul Dickow. The album is definitely mood music and circumstantial listening (dreary fall days or bleak winter nights), but its ambiance and atmosphere is far removed from ennui.
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