Trailer Bride

On its brand-new Hope Is a Thing With Feathers, Trailer Bride refines its spooky-ooky tendencies (always both its strength and its limitation) while maturing into a band that can out-X X and sinking into the kind of gleeful musical gloom perfected by Geraldine Fibbers. The band has broadened its range, comfortably tackling honky-tonk, country blues and even a rock song or two — albeit at that signature languid Trailer Bride tempo. Vocalist Melissa Swingle has stepped out of the rural Gothic wilderness to sing not only Emily Dickinson (you thought that album title sounded familiar) but also grinning rockabilly elegies to the kind of pathetically sad boy who could park a busted Mach I in the yard and drive his girlfriend’s car. Even if you thought you knew Trailer Bride, you’ll be surprised — this time out, they’re branching into the realm of bona fide modular homes.