The serpent is kind... Merge present this ultimate collector's boxset spanning the early works of Hiss Golden Messenger, aka the solo project of North Carolinian folk songwriter MC Taylor. Devotion - Songs About Rivers & Spirits & Children includes vinyl pressings of Bad Debt, Poor Moon and Haw, plus a new LP collecting HGM rarities entitled Virgo Fool which will only be available in this set. Each album has been remastered with newly reimagined artwork designed in collaboration with visual artist Sam Smith. Amanda Petrusich (The New Yorker) provides extensive liner notes for the three reissues, with John Mulvey (MOJO, Uncut) providing an essay for Virgo Fool. The four LPs are housed in a deluxe cloth-wrapped outer case with included poster and download card. 

• 4x vinyl LP boxset (please note: actual packaging may differ slightly from mock-up photo)
• includes remastered editions of Bad Debt, Poor Moon + Haw
• bonus rarities album Virgo Fool only available in this boxset
• limited edition of 2,200
• housed in cloth-wrapped slipcase w/ 3-color foil accents
• includes fold-out poster
• extensive liner notes by Amanda Petruisch + John Mulvey
• digital download included
• release date: 11/2/18
• music label: Merge 2018

reviewed by satin struthers 08/2018