Delta Spirit - History From Below (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

Delta Spirit - History From Below 8/10

Rudolph Klapper | Los Angeles / Orlando | 06/16/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My most cherished bands have always appealed to me not only with a sense of timelessness but with a feeling of placelessness as well, as if they could be from anywhere or, even better, if they evoke the sound of a region or era without coming off as copycats or sycophantic rubes. By only their second album, Delta Spirit is already rapidly becoming one of my favorite unsigned bands, thanks largely to their ability to pull off just that aura of sounding like a region whose music I unabashedly love (the South) while hailing from a place I'd love to visit (San Diego). These are two dots one would likely not be able to connect listening to the band - singer Matthew Vasquez's whiskey-soaked voice calls to mind the Allman Brothers Band or the cracked rasp of Walkmen vocalist Hamilton Leithauser, while the band pumps out a genuinely raucous Southern-fried blues rock that has matured well since their 2008 debut. History From Below is just what a sophomore effort should be, equal parts a step forward and eleven songs stronger, all the red-blooded rock and soulful vitality of their debut while expanding on their trademark Americana sound.

To be honest, there was nothing here that struck me as forcefully as Ode to Sunshine's first single, "Trashcan," nor nothing as quite as in-your-face raw "People C'mon," but unlike their debut, History From Below is quite the studio album, revealing more and more upon each subsequent listen. The band's growth as songwriters is quite pronounced, as a listen to a slow burner like "White Table" or the flamenco spice on "St. Francis" makes apparent. Delta Spirit never would have tried the conceit of an eight-minute closer before like they do here, but "Ballad of Vitality" never crumbles under the weight of its own ambition, nor ever really feels like an eight-minute song, which is probably the greatest compliment I could give it. Swelling as it does from a campfire ballad to a charging blues beast, "Ballad of Vitality" exemplifies the band's evolution from dyed-in-the-wool live performers to accomplished studio artists. That talent of transferring their backwoods bar-band vibe onto record isn't something to be taken lightly, allowing a tune like "911," one that fits best in a live setting, to coexist seamlessly with a acoustic ballad like "Scarecrow" without a hitch. It's an impressive achievement, and one many bands that have made their name on the road have been unable to pull off.

But perhaps the greatest praise should go to Vasquez, who, in the span of only two records, has already become one of indie's most distinctive and powerful vocalists. I don't think the band knew what they were getting when they found Vasquez playing guitar for money near a train stop, but he possesses a throaty set of pipes that take just as well to vicious love songs as they do to gentle ballads. He really is the band's identity, taking the same kind of guitar-fueled Americana so many bands are doing nowadays and injecting it with the kind of vigor and passion that a group like Fleet Foxes wish they could have. The best parts of the record are when Vasquez really takes off, like when he goes into full-on tears-in-my-beer self-flagellation on "Vivian" or the way his howl tears itself apart so beautifully on the final chorus of "Bushwick Blues." And when Vasquez is practically the lone instrument as he is on the record's centerpiece, the haunting, lovely "Ransom Man," it's clear that he is the heart and fire that will be the reason this band this hits it big. And big they should be. I've gone through plenty of bands who have teased me with excellent debuts and then floundered on the follow ups (damn you Futureheads), but Delta Spirit have already proved they can maintain a level of consistency matched with a clear penchant for musical growth that has me fairly salivating for what the future holds."

Amazing! Different from the first, but fantastic nonetheles

Lael | 06/20/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Honestly, I was not sold the fist time through the album. But I was looking forward to an album full of "Trashcan". And after about the third listen, I can't take this CD out of my player! These guys are amazing! And a note to all those who are just discovering Delta Spirit, buy the fist album also. You will not be disappointed. Thank you Delta Spirit for creating another spectacular work of art!"

Delta Spirit's 2nd go around

Kyle Freeland | Mountain Home AFB, Idado USA | 06/10/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I ussually look forward to reading the first couple reviews on a brand new CD. Such as this one here. I've been very much looking forward to this album since i've found out the release date. First glance, I thought I was seeing wrong because this first rating was 1 star. Mind you this was the first day the album was released. I bought the album, listen to it all the way through mulitiple times at work and even at home. This is not one star, not even close.

Agreed that it very diffrent in many ways. And for some this might be a dissappointment from "Ode to Sunshine", but this is no slump. I accually gave this album only 4 stars, but i had to see the rating go higher. Delta spirit deserves better then premature rating of an album that was only listened too for one day. That seems harsh since they're are some seriously awesome songs on here.

The first half is solid rock songs you would expect from these guys. 9/11 and bushwick blues are very "Ode" too me. Reminds me of a cooler more confident versions of "childeren". Suprising songs to me where "Salt in the wound" and "white table", this for some reason reminds me of the dodos, but its not a bad thing.

By far the best song on here for me is "Ransom Man 6: Devil Knows You're Dead", this is just a really awesome song. I can't say enough about it, just listen on repeat.

The second half of the album is so-so. I'm sure it will grow on me with more listens.

Its Delta Spirit, regarless if this is better then the last album, these guys still rock. Give it a try

"

Delta Spirit Rocks with History from Below

Jeremy Bradford | Connecticut | 06/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll just do a quick track analysis for you, then go buy it, don't think about it, this album is worth every dime and more. If you like Ode to Sunshine, or you just want to check them out, don't worry - you will love this album. This is one to listen to over and over again:

History from Below starts out like Ode to Sunshine, a nice short zinger, with some serious American Tragedy undertones. 911 is a twenty-something reaction to all the crap that came out of the 9/11 tragedy, and some other tragedies that are closely related.

Bushwick Blues is the single on the album. The first line really wraps you into the album as a whole, "Hold onto my hand, never let go, never let go." This song really introduces the puzzling part of growing up, "my love is strong, and my heart is weak afterall." This song is simple, but really represents Delta Spirit's production abilities. I won't try to interpret this song too much, but it gave me the defining feeling for the overall album.

Salt in the Wound is why many critics are calling this album "Folk Rock" instead of indy. You can really tell Matt V's lyrics step into something like Dylan's ability to simply craft classic literature out his songs. "If there is a God in my head, then there is a devil too, how can I tell the difference, when they both claim to be true. Maybe God is God. Maybe the devil is me. Well I just throw my chains on and tell myself that I'm free." When you see him sing this live, half in the bag, and pretty depressed and tired, you know exactly what he means. Also, the instrumentation shows how subtle the other players are on the entire album. No glaring solos, just rock-solid backing to make every song work. Honestly, this song may be what makes the entire album for me.

White Table is a great transition piece for the album; out of the pain of Salt in the Wound and into an externalized set of problems. In some ways this song is a continuation of Bushwick Blues, with the finger pointing in a different direction. This song is the closest thing on the album to an Ode to Sunshine esque song, but the overall improvement in each musician's abilities is obvious. Once the song really kicks in, you get that raw energy that you probably love Delta Spirit for.

Ransom Man reminds me of Johnny Cash, born again. The lyric that always sticks with me is, "paint a picture with one black crayon." This is a great ambient, folk tune with everything rooted in the melody. Simple.

Devil Knows Your Dead ("Your" not "You're"), is a way of saying goodbye, I think. At this point, you can really hear how well-crafted the rhythm is on the entire album. The brush work on this song with the steady picking on the guitar is really beautiful. Again, another simple way to deliver the melody and lyrics and the point. The lyrics can be a little cliche, but it works anyway.

Golden State is probably the second single on the album. This is the type of track that represents why I love Delta Spirit to begin with, especially Matt V's voice. I just hope he can keep up the scream for another few albums.

Scarecrow sounds like it was recorded in some kind of outdoor restaurant; in public, with birds chirping. This reminds me a little of the Feist track "The Park" in the way it was produced/recorded. This is another simple, burning folk tune - really great. They border a little bit on cliche again, but the lyrics keep the song fresh and innovative. I'm not sure if I get the meaning, but I think it has something to do with futility.

I thought Vivian was a cover when I first heard it live. It is dripping with Tom Waits' influence and is probably the most emotional song Delta Spirit has recorded next to "House Built for Two". Honestly this is a tough song for me to listen to. I am surprised that they were capable of putting out a track like this. It is great, but is a pretty big departure from their usual content. I have a feeling I will probably start skipping the song on future listens, not because it is bad, just because it isn't the style I am usually looking for without ending up with some serious thinking to do.

St. Francis does the same for me as Golden State, good old Delta Spirit. This one rocks, with horns, piano, harmonica, etc. I'm not sure about the meaning about this, except that there is something about being cool with the animals. This song pulls from so many influences, but still sounds really original. "Everyone wants, nobody needs."

Ballad of Vitaly is a really interesting tune. This one is a story about a guy who's family is killed in an airplane crash, and he decides to get vengeance. The vengeance comes back to get him, because the guy he kills has a family too, so there is some more death, etc. I'm not sure where the story originates, but this is a totally different side of Delta Spirit. I think they have attempted to do this type of song before, but never really told the whole story. I like this tune a lot, not just because of the style, but because this really represents these guys as good song writers.

Stalker's Lament is a great throwback to Ode to Sunshine. It really reminds me of Streetwalker in terms of the content of the song. This is probably the weakest track musically, really the only one that sounds a little bit like a filler. I think I need more time with this one, because it is good, just not as apparent as the rest of the material on the album.

Again, go buy this album, you won't regret it and you will listen to it so many times it will make it worth every penny.

"

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