I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. If you like the unexpected, you're going to love this; in anticipation of their show this Thursday night at Moon Over Marin, The Schomberg Fair sent a copy of their record Gospel to the Interrobang office.

It becomes apparent right away that this trio - Matt Bahen on guitars, banjo, harmonica, and vocals; Nathan Sidon on bass guitar and vocals; and Pete Garthside on drums and vocals — are nothing like you've heard in the past. A quote from Clash Music in their press release sums it up pretty well, “Seeing The Schomberg Fair is unlike any experience I or presumably you have ever had with a band.”

There's no wondering why the record is called Gospel - it's not possible to miss the running theme present in the lyrics while you listen. Drunkard's Prayer opens with “mother, sweet mother, don't worry for me / I've been talking to the man from Galilee / the Lord loves a drunkard I heard him say / with every breath invoked His name.”

It would be pretty easy to assume a few things; one, that the band are some ultra-religious outfit (maybe a country band) just trying to spread the righteous word, or two, that the album itself is heavily concept-laden. Digging just a little deeper, though, reveals the more interesting aspects of the dynamic.

To begin, The Schomberg Fair actually fall somewhere between indie and punk rockabilly. Their energy is evident even just by listening to their record, and rightly so — each song is a testament of survival and will, rooted deep in self-destruction, ambition, and redemption. Much of the record is inspired by true stories and struggles that Bahen witnessed during his time as an outreach worker.

And these songs are rich, nothing like the concept album of assumption's sake, but rather more like a conversation; Bahen and Sidon play very well off of one another, trading vocal phrases back and forth over an upbeat, accented rhythm. Garthside adds some real texture in here as well, no small feat over the sort of speed gospel that ensues as the record gets into gear.

After a slight introduction, the record kicks into a full swing with Angel's Wings and carries a momentum through Drunkard's Prayer and Tall Grass, each stronger than the last. The Schomberg Fair also includes a few traditional pieces they've arranged in their style, including Wayfaring Stranger and Blind Willie Johnson's Trouble Will Soon Be Over (which is a personal favourite on this record).

Honestly, it's hard not to enjoy the record in its entirety once you open up to it, it's just a matter of being receptive to the sound. It's not going to be for everyone's tastes, but anyone that especially enjoys roots blues music combined with an indie rock edge will find this disc to be a welcome addition to their collection.

Top five songs: Trouble Will Soon Be Over, Can't Go Home, Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down, Drunkard's Prayer, Tall Grass.

Twenty per cent that I would cut (two songs): Introduction, Wayfaring Stranger.

You can hear The Schomberg Fair on their Myspace profile (myspace.com/theschombergfair), and get a sampling of this and their other album, Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground. You can also see them live this Thursday, March 25, at Moon Over Marin, 194 Dundas St downtown. I will definitely be in attendance, and I even have an extra guest list spot available. Anyone interested? I'm out of words.