ARTiST: Delta Spirit
ALBUM: History From Below
BiTRATE: 179kbps avg
QUALiTY: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.97 Final / -V2 --vbr-new / 44.100Khz
LABEL: Rounder
GENRE: Rock
SiZE: 68.57 megs
PLAYTiME: 0h 50min 36sec total
RiP DATE: 2010-07-03
STORE DATE: 2010-07-02
Track List:
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01. 9/11 3:16
02. Bushwick Blues 3:42
03. Salt In The Wound 5:50
04. White Table 5:06
05. Ransom Man 4:27
06. Devil Knows You're Dead 3:58
07. Golden State 3:15
08. Scarecrow 4:06
09. Vivian 4:28
10. St. Francis 4:23
11. Ballad Of Vitaly 8:05
Release Notes:
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Delta Spirit - History From BelowWhen Delta Spirit released their 2008 debut
album Ode To Sunshine, I quickly became a fan of the San Diego band. I
appreciated the first-rate songwriting, and the impassioned delivery of lead
vocalist and lyricist Matthew Vasquez. Not only that, but when I saw them play
live in Philadelphia about a year ago, they used a really big drum. I have
simple tastes, give me some good songs, crackling electric guitars, and really
big drums, and youÆre likely to get a good review from me here on Popdose.
Like any other young band, after the release of their first album, Delta Spirit
hit the road to support the thing. There they found themselves on bills with the
likes of Cold War Kids, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Dr. Dog. Songwriting for
their follow-up album was done, as it usually is, in hotel rooms. That kind of
touring can test the best of bands, but Delta Spirit has not only survived the
rigors of the road, theyÆve upped the ante with their new album History From
Below (Rounder Records).
What is immediately apparent is that great care was taken with the writing of
each of the new albumÆs 11 songs. ItÆs all killer, no filler. These are the kind
of songs that I think of as crafted, as opposed to written. Delta Spirit
demonstrates the ability to blend full out rock tracks like the paean to their
California home [Click to listen] ôGolden Stateö, and ôBushwick Blues,ö with
rustic, more acoustic tracks like ôScarecrow,ö and ôRansom Man,ö while
maintaining a consistent vision for the album. On ô911? the band speaks up for
economic justice, and the beautiful death ballad ôVivianö addresses a more
spiritual brand of justice. The lovely Tejano rhythms of ôSt. Francisö push home
the songÆs spiritual yearning.
With History From Below, Delta Spirit have catapulted themselves into the top
rank of bands that represent the American experience in musical style and
lyrical substance. Repeated listening serves to reveal more of the powerful
truths found in these songs. The album was nicely produced by Bo Koster of My
Morning Jacket, and Eli Thomson, and will surely find its way onto many top ten
lists at the end of the year.