Kenton Loewen s The Crackling brings unmistakable darkened warmth to the sometimes bleak, often challenging, mostly hopeful subject matter found on 2013 s Mary Magdalene. Lush with texture, deep with color, and free in its unbound expression, The Crackling maintain their emotional musical vocabulary in this evocative creation. The musical diversity found within the members of the group puts them in demand by several different projects, from Mother Mother and The Be Good Tanya s to the Gord Grdina and Tyson Naylor Trios. A handful of the best free jazz musicians in the Vancouver scene join the group here, including JP Carter, Peggy Lee, and Jesse Zubot. Josiah Boothby and Eyvind Kang, both from Seattle, also join on their respective instruments. Debra Jean Creelman was responsible for backing vocals, and special guest Dan Mangan sings on two tracks. The Vancouver Children s Choir, under the direction of Rupert Lang, also joins the group on one song.