There have been countless concept albums released, and most of them have been absolutely awful. There’s No Love In This War is the story of a soldiers experience in World War II, and is NOT absolutely awful. In fact, it’s quite good. The Gunshy is Matt Arbogast and a handful of other session musicians. He toured around the States playing bars and clubs and gained a reputation as a talented storyteller and unique vocalist. I have to say, his voice makes me think of a jolly Tom Waits. The record is aesthetically very stripped down, usually Arbogast playing acoustic guitar and singing with, at times, a harmonica, a few horns, a few violins, a piano, and a snare drum. All the songs on the album are titled by a date and a reference to what Arbogast sings about in the song. (Example: August 13, 1943 (Eddie Was A Good Friend Of Mine) That song is one of the more powerful on the record. He sings of a memorable night with Eddie, a fellow soldier. It ends quite sadly and gives a look at suicide among soldiers. You can feel the tension and desperation grow as the album nears the end of his soldiers tour. A concept album about WW II is a massive undertaking, but Arbogast handles it with finesse and delivers a strange little gem. This record won’t be for everyone, but those able to appreciate it will be pleased.
