Review: Delta Spirit - History From Below (* * * *)

When Delta Spirit arrived on the scene two years ago, they did so with a sort of fiery retro-rock sound that was about impossible to ignore. Ode to Sunshine, their debut, was as bombastic as it was melodic, with crunchy guitars, clanging piano and singer Matt Vasquez's emphatic wail making for an enjoyably noisy racket. So subtlety wasn't part of the equation, but their lack of restraint is part of what made the record such a great listen. This time around however, with History From Below, Delta Spirit take a decidedly different approach. There are still moments of the brash rock 'n' roll that characterized the band's first effort, but the new album is generally much more subdued than its predecessor, focusing on songwriting and lyricism over instant impact. The results are less immediate, but ultimately more powerful.

Starting the record are a couple tracks that remain relatively more true to the band's initial formula. "911" rolls along with Dr. Dog-esque harmonies and a 70s rock vibe while "Bushwick" rumbles with a smoother edge than before but to a similarly successful end. But then "Salt in the Wind" takes an early detour with a lengthy ballad-style folk aesthetic featuring gentle percussion and arpeggiated piano lines. It's the first of many unusual moves for the band, including a smoldering psych-rock number ("White Table"), a deceptively gentle kidnapping tale ("Ransom Man") and a beautiful goodbye to a friend ("Devil Knows You're Dead"), all of which appear in sequence following "Salt in the Wind." Eventually the band gets back to traditional business with the fantastic rocker "Golden State," but the songs before and after that will surely be received with mixed feelings from Delta Spirit fans given the music's more deliberate pace and restrained nature. After a few listens, however, and after coming to the terms with the fact that History From Below is in no way intended to be Ode to Sunshine part II, the quality of the songwriting and breadth of ideas here ultimately proves worth the changes the band underwent to present them.

Only once does Delta Spirit truly miss the mark (the dragging "Vivian"), but there's no shortage of great tunes on this sophomore effort, and together they form a cohesive and consistent whole that reveals a remarkable amount of maturity from this young crew. The lyrical and musical growth exhibited throughout the record's 11 tracks may only serve to disappoint or frustrate some, and that's a shame not only because it produces some fantastic results, but because it's impossible to deny the good things it bodes for the band's future. History From Below is an album following a blueprint that likely won't be nearly as effective if used a second time around, and I would imagine the band will return to stompin' and hollerin' on disc three, but the risks they've taken here pay off at almost every turn.

MySpace

Top 25 of 2008 - Alphabetically (Part II)

Yesterday I covered the first five of my alphabetical list of the best albums of the year; The Black Keys, Blitzen Trapper, Bon Iver, Calexico, and Cloud Cult. Today I'm continuing with part two of my "Best of 2008" list:

Coldplay - Viva La Vida

Viva La Vida made good on Coldplay's promise of an expansive new sound with ten arena-sized anthems incorporating a variety of bells and whistles. While the album isn't revolutionary by any stretch, it's refreshing to hear a band take chances when they very well could have coasted through another album or two and retained commercial success. The band's ability to mess around with time signatures and song structures while still delivering radio-friendly, sing-a-long choruses makes for a respectable and enjoyable record.
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Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst (first names for the alphabetical list)

Ditching the Bright Eyes moniker and moving down to Mexico to record his latest album, Oberst manages to retain his songwriting edge while simplifying his alternative folk sound. It's far from a true solo effort, however, as he employs the help of "The Mystic Valley Band" to fill out his folk tunes with electric guitars, jangling piano, and backing vocals. It's a very organic and grounded album that, at times, displays something novel for Oberst; fun. From folk-rock rave-ups to the more familiar downtrodden ballads, Conor Oberst is a great singer/songwriter album.
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Delta Spirit - Ode To Sunshine

Of all the retro-rock bands to release albums this year (Dr. Dog, Cold War Kids, etc.) Delta Spirit's Ode To Sunshine is easily my favorite, I mean the best. It's a gritty, earnest rock 'n' roll record with raw guitars, stomping percussion, and pounding piano serving as the background for the socially conscious lyrics sung with flair by front-man Matt Vasquez. The band's soulful sound is catchy, exciting, and frequently uplifting, all underlined by the sincerity and effort felt throughout each and every song.
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The Dodos - Visiter

Guitar/drum duo The Dodos fit best under the label "freak folk," creating odd, offbeat tunes mainly using acoustic guitar and frantic drumming. Visiter is at times thoughtful, light-hearted, and intense, but always both strange and melodic. It's a sprawling record at 14 tracks and just under an hour of music, but the duo's ability to create many differing sounds with such a simple approach is remarkable and the album rarely seems to drag. Combining their experimental edge with pop sensibility, The Dodos easily make it into the top 25.
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Drive-By Truckers - Brighter Than Creation's Dark

With a string of great albums under their collective belt, Drive-By Truckers continue to make fantastic Southern rock even after the departure of Jason Isbell. Taking his place on vocal duties is bassist Shonna Tucker, though Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood sing the majority of the tunes between them. At 19 songs and an astounding 75 minute run-time, Brighter Than Creation's Dark is probably too long, but it's hard to argue with so much of a good thing. Ranging from blazing rockers to country-folk tunes, the songs display uniformly solid songwriting and impressive musicianship.

Interview Alert: Delta Spirit

The Captain has an excellent and exclusive interview with Kelly Winrish of Delta Spirit over at Captain Melody. Delta Spirit just recently re-released their fine debut album Ode To Sunshine and I have to admit I'm a little jealous of The Captain's ability to snag this interview.

For fans of retro-rockers like Dr. Dog and Cold War Kids, Ode To Sunshine is very much required listening. Check out my review here.


Delta Spirit's MySpace (and homepage)

First Impression Review: Delta Spirit - Ode To Sunshine (* * * *)

I just heard this album streaming today at www.spinner.com. It's being re-released tomorrow, after being self-produced and released late last year. Delta Spirit is a rock/pop/soul band from Southern California with a love for piano hooks and socially conscious rock songs and if there's any justice in the world, they're going to be big. After one listen, I was hooked.

After hearing "Ode To Sunshine" described as "the record you wished the Cold War Kids had made," I haven't been able to think of a better way to say it. Delta Spirit share a similar sound with CWK and other retro-rockers like Dr. Dog, but the honesty and urgency found on "Ode To Sunshine" make it seem sincere and interesting. They also have a knack for melodies that stick and lyrics that, for the most part, work well with the music (though the vocals can be a bit grating at times).

Instead of getting stuck in the past, Delta Spirit use the energy of their influences and create something that's not entirely new, but fresh enough to be worth a listen. "Ode To Sunshine" is best when it's loud and messy, dragging a bit when the tempo slows, but the music is mostly exciting, raw, and compelling. This is yet another standout debut album released this year.

Favorite Tracks: Trashcan, People C'mon, Children