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The Psalters' travels are nine years old; their first project debuted in 1998. Nine years later, what began as a side project for some urban missionaries has many miles and years behind it as a nomad community; the core group lives on a waste vegetable oil powered school bus, which it leaves behind for ventures abroad. Last winter, it was Turkey. This summer, they are performing in Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. 

Their compelling ragamuffin, collaborative vibe is honestly summed up in their myspace description of their sound:

"The percussive clank of chain links attached to dozens of defiant stomping feet across the marbled business floor desert, fists raised high, open mouthed screaming brittle sirens over the hum of computers, air filtration systems and the muddy thud of a thousand apathetic hearts." 

Their interest in far-eastern sounds, vocal gifts and limitations, and a lot of music lessons in their separate childhoods pull together a surprisingly listenable mix. It's an intense, DIY ensemble that is a lot of fun live with a subtext that make Polyphonic Spree and Arcade Fire look like cardboard cutout commercial sellouts. 

Apparently, in their free time, when the oil tanks are full, the merry band splits its attention between the Church's theological roots, social justice issues, and acquiring thrift store instruments. (Last summer, they were up to three accordions.) All of this and more are on display in their finest work to date: __The Divine Liturgy of the Wretched Exiles__. 

Psalters infuses a twentyone-part traditional liturgy with its passion for fundamental theology, victim rights, pacifism, environmentalism, and thrift stores then plays it back in its road-tested style. The beautifully hand built CD cover is set up as a missal and includes beautifully illuminated music for all the choruses. 

Following along with the lyrics and choruses helps strip away the novelty of 21st Century American nomads holding a service to reveal on the bones of the piece their call to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. For the Kyrie Eleison, they've chosen a song titled, "Rich man and Afganistan." The Offertory, "Dig it up," is a catchy screed against Wall Street greed. The Breaking of Bread, "Dumpster Divers," explores the ultimate statement of wealth, and so it goes, alternating straight traditional lyrics, "Agnuse dei," "Lord's Prayer," "Mysterium fidei" with more pointed lyrics, such as "Hosanna:" 

Holy, holy, holy Lord.
God of pow'r & might.
Heaven & earth are full of Your glory.

Oh is it true that songs can do what bombs have always missed?
To strike the lips of power that all men have longed to kiss
That all my know if You don't save then everything is lost
Your road map to freedom is from infancy to cross

No rock will bear my load, I'll cry out with in my time
A battle cry against this world
"God help me!" is the line.
And as I rush upon the field I know I may fall slain
But I would rather fight and die than live my life in vain.

Linda LaFianza  5/29/2007