“There are a lot of songs that are about putting things to rest, overcoming hardship and rising above,” Jamie says. “It’s sort of the connective theme.”As a band, they expanded beyond the old-time influences that first inspired them without forsaking them. “I think it’s all going on, on this one,” says Darling. “More of David’s world music, more of Newman’s metal, more of Bob’s grunge.”

Music aside, the album carries a deeper meaning as well. In November 2007, tragedy struck. Rogers-Berry’s fiancé, Eliza Sudol, died of an aneurysm. The group canceled their European tour plans at the time and returned to her family’s side. “I’m glad we can say ‘A Light That Does Not Dim’ is a reflection of the warmth and light she carried in her life,” says Rogers-Berry, “because a lot of the songs are fairly dark.” Jamie adds, “There’s a catharsis in what we’re trying to do musically on this album. We’re all trying to get through things with this music. We’re trying to use music as a means of healing.” Broken Hymns is dedicated in her memory.

Recording the album fostered a deeper bond in the band. Working with veteran producer Newport, the band let their instruments bleed into one another, replicating their live sound. “We’re tired of people saying our records don’t stand up to our live performances,” says Rogers-Berry. “So we tried to bring some of that energy to it.” They turned it into a celebration. “You know those giant, gallon jugs of Jack Daniels,” Newport says. “I now have a graveyard of those things in my studio.”

For “On an Aching Sea,” the producer wanted to replicate Rogers-Berry’s fondness for adding scrap metal to his drum set, so they went on a “reconnaissance mission” around Brooklyn and found everything they could, dumping it all in one of the studio’s rooms with some cymbals. When the drummer exited, there was broken glass everywhere, and one especially mutilated cymbal stand, which Rogers-Berry had snapped in half with a motorcycle chain. “We emphasized the spirit of the song on this album,” says Newport.