Failing Songs

I'm not a fan of Elliott's other albums that come just before and just after this one, so it must be the dark cabaret that saves this one for me. Elliott is usually just too damn sad for me--miserable, and not in a good way--but this album simply sounds better. Again, it's that dark cabaret backbone with its charming, theatrical violin and cello. There is character and substance present here, not mere misery.