The Afghan Whigs' new album, Do to the Beast, lays out like claws of an aged, mangy city. Up close, structures are corroded and crumbling. From a distance, though, The Beast becomes a magnificent thing, a marvel of rock and darker soul. Singer/guitarist/conductor Greg Dulli has entered his seer phase, reading cracks in concrete like they were palms. Higher in his vocal range, he foretells with a gritty, splintered falsetto. Lower, his voice is viscous, rounded, and morose. "I Am Fire" spells out beauty in a bleak façade. In the 16 years since Afghan Whigs' previous release, Dulli has been active with the Twilight Singers, the Gutter Twins, and solo material. Do to the Beast (out on Sub Pop) is not music from a re-formed band rehashing their previous sounds at all. It's an urgent, hungry creature. Sharp with thinking teeth, longing anew, and dripping with fresh blood. You might want to save your Bumbershoot Shishkaberry's for another set. Dulli spoke from his home in Los Angeles.

Continue reading the interview here. >> Dulli discusses goings on in Matamoros, MX, and talks about his upcoming book of photography matched to haikus from author Danny Bland.

The Afghan Whigs play Bumbershoot tonight. Fisher Green Stage, 10 PM.