The long awaited new album from the legendary Charalambides, now pared down to the original core duo of Christina Carter and Tom Carter. After having exorcized some demons through the release of their last album Joy Shapes, here they have recorded a more melodic song cycle, reminiscent of their earlier albums Union and Market Square. Of particular note is the inspiring guitar work Tom displays on the 18 minute instrumental Black Bed Blues. With A Vintage Burden, Charalambides have delivered their most cosmic and beautiful album to date.

No doubt the godparents of the whole "freak-folk", "free-folk", "new weird america", whatever scene, Charalambides were wandering alone in that arid wilderness when they started recording and releasing their music via cassette in the early '90s. With enough artists now having sprouted to warrant the naming of an entire sub-genre, they are still at the head of the class. Charalambides is where it all started.