Pawnbroker's Wife may well be Johnny Dowd's most accessible record to date. But don't let that fool you, the wholesome facade only manages to faintly obscure the despair that lurks beneath.

New and old fans alike will be drawn to the »softer« side of Johnny, yet his ability to expose the underbelly of the American dream remains intact with his own brand of techno dirges and cynical punk he's come to be known for. Johnny seamlessly segues from hopeless romantic to in your face schizophrenic profecies of ground-dwelling madmen.

And if that wasn't enough there's also a rendition of everyone's favorite Christmas classic, »Jingle Bells« sure to be a hit at your next yuletide feast.

Kim Sherwood-Caso is once again featured, her delicate vocals offsetting Johnny's dark rumble of a voice like a psychedelic Lee Hazelwood and Ann-Margret in the song »Sleeping In The Grass.« Brian Wilson is on drums and Justin Asher returns to round things out on guitar. Both give a hand, and sometimes a foot, to a plethora of sound making devices from synth, organ, melodica to drill gun.

Look for Johnny on two compilation releases in the near future. An alternative version of Judgement day will be featured on the upcoming Bloodshot release, »The Executioner's Last Songs,« and »Sleeping in the Grass,« will be featured on a Lee Hazelwood tribute.