One band that has been a favorite of mine since I happened upon their haunting 1995 album Gentle Creatures a decade ago is the now defunct, sadly, Tarnation. Headed by Southern-transplant-to-California Paula Frazer, whose vocal chords must have developed under the guidance of Patsy Cline’s spirit, Tarnation, in their best moments, conjure up a doleful alt country sound that slides from chunk-a-chunk to tight and twangy, all with cello, slide guitar, and organ joining in on the lugubrious festivities. At times, they can come near to sounding almost playful.  However, the proof is in the aural pudding, so I taste and see: