In Bocca al Lupo (album)

In Bocca al Lupo is the third full-length album release by indie rock band Murder by Death. It was released on Tent Show Records, on May 23, 2006. The title comes from the Italian phrase that literally translates to "into the mouth of the wolf" and is commonly used to say "Good luck". The album is a concept album, which essentially means the songs are all connected by themes, in this case, sin and punishment.

Guitarist and lead singer, Adam Turla, explains the meaning of the first five songs on the band's website much like he did for their previous album, Who Will Survive, and What Will Be Left of Them?. The following excerpt is taken from his introduction:

"While the last record is one long story, the new record is 12 different stories, all about sin, redemption, and guilt. Think of them like short stories in one anthology, each about a different character who has either committed acts that have harmed other people or are part of a bigger story where something like that has happened. There were several books that were influential in writing this album. Some of them were Dante's Inferno, Herman Melville's Benito Cereno, and Edgar Allan Poe's Fall of the House of Usher. Basically all these stories had issues that seemed relevant to the record and helped the creation of these songs."

Personnel

 * Adam Turla – vocals, guitar
 * Matt Armstrong – bass
 * Sarah Balliet – cello, keyboards
 * Alex Schrodt – drums, percussion

Guest musicians

 * J. Robbins – backing vocals on "Dynamite Mine" and "The Big Sleep"
 * David A. Miller – tuba/trombone on "The Organ Grinder" and "Sometimes the Line Walks You"
 * Ronald Rolling – trumpet on "The Organ Grinder", "Sometimes the Line Walks You", and "The Big Sleep"
 * Shundra S. Johnson, Ronald Rolling, Marvin Parks, David A. Miller – choir on "The Big Sleep" and "The Devil Drives"
 * Janet Morgan – backing vocals on "The Big Sleep" and "The Devil Drives"