The Gonstermachers are not your typical blues band. The Syracuse-based quartet employs instruments, such as ukulele, block flute, gongs, cello, washtub bass, marxolin, vocatron, washtub drum, camerounian tambour, zaphoon, castanets, bongos, and war drum, to give them a sound that actually goes beyond the ordinary boundaries of the blues, stepping off into categories like roots, Americana, and even rock and soul. The Crushing Gift is a worthy follow-up to their self-titled debut recording from 2007.

The opening cut, “Charlemagne,” has a strong R&B feel, thanks in part to guest gonstermacher Mark Ninni’s organ fills. “All of Heaven’s Falling Rain” rocks between Leo Crandall’s crunching guitar and gravelly vocals and Curtis Waterman’s harmonica. “Effamira’s Tango” is a standout track with its Latin rhythms and vivid imagery, while “Bushmeat” is the most offbeat track on the disc, a wild double entendre-laced tune with amusing backing vocals and lots of special effects mixed in.

Other highlights include a fast and furious instrumental, “Baby Get Over It,” which gives all four gonstermachers a chance to shine. “And Your Devil Is Comin’” is a slow, spooky blues initially featuring Crandall on guitar, before Waterman jumps in with a mournful harmonica solo. “John The Revelator” also gets an eerie reworking, driven by Hymie Witthoft’s percussion and Waterman’s harmonica. The final track, the title cut, features Crandall on guitar.

Singer/guitarist/cellist Crandall and harmonica player Waterman are out front for the most part, but the driving force of the gonstermachers’ attack is the powerful rhythm section of Witthoft, who apparently plays every percussion instrument known to man and Richard Curry, who plays washtub bass.

A wide-ranging collection of musical styles, The Crushing Gift is a raw and emotional work, driven by excellent musicianship and highly original songwriting.