A touch of nostalgia urged me to slip The Soul of the Wild Seed into the stereo. Double Indemnity had sent me two CDs for review some time ago, and I quickly filed my report on the excellent Cows in the Castle. Then Double Indemnity parted ways and the second review seemed to lose its sense of urgency. I confess I let this CD fall by the wayside while waiting to see what the former bandmates would do next.

Recently yearning for that old Double Indemnity sound, I went to grab Cows -- but snagged Wild Seed instead. It's time, I thought, to give this disc a proper listen and review, despite the band's sorry dissolution.

Alas, Wild Seed is surprisingly listless for the band that cut its teeth on Renaissance Faire audiences and learned how to draw an audience in with sheer enthusiasm and personality. There are a few peaks, such as "Tom O'Bedlam" and a unique take on "Donald McGillavry," but overall the disc lacks energy.

Perhaps Wild Seed has served its purpose after all. Feeling nostalgic for Double Indemnity, I find myself instead appreciating even more the punch carried by band alumni Carl Asch, Lynda Kavy and Gary Mazzu in their new band, Empty Hats.