The Doomsday EP

Released seven months after the full-length Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Doomdsay takes its cues from two versions of the titular song. One appears exactly as it did on Dearland, with horn blasts and sprightly kickdrum driving it along, while the other is performed like a spiritual, its former energy slowed down to an elegant, penitent pace. Gospel music pops up throughout some of the disc's strongest moments: the church house harmonies of "Weeping Mary," the funeral-march cadence of "Stay Zombie Stay," the swirling organs in "Gypsy Davy" (a cover of the traditional "Gypsy Laddie"). For those who prefer the faster version of "Doomsday," though, "Stop Drop Rock and Roll" is an old-fashioned sock hop romp, complete with slapback echo and a standard blues progression. Perkins has always carried the torch of vintage Americana, and he covers all his bases here.