“Death Wish” by Kevin Johnson & Nick Bowen sounds like a tune commissioned for a film-students’ project of directing a western movie. While it sounds, for the most part, just like what you’d imagine such a tune to resemble, the enthusiasm of the performers helps carry it through.
Production-wise, while the modern recording techniques as undoubtedly included, this one sounds, on purpose, one would think, as an unearthed demo made by the Band in Big Pink. Strummed guitars, a relaxed rhythm section, and vocals that tread between spooky storytelling and falsetto acrobatics give “Death Wish” shape. In the end, the performers may leave listeners feeling the tune had some parts missing to it, but, then again, this may be its greatest charm.
