On Deer Tick’s latest endeavor they don't really deviate from their “normal” country-grunge-blues sound, although they do refine it a bit on The Black Dirt Sessions. They come with a slightly more mature resonance on this album. Lead singer Paul McCauley’s songwriting skills have always been top-notch; he simply has added more layers of sound on this album.
Some of the songs on The Black Dirt Sessions sound like they could have been former Beatles or Doors tunes until McCauley’s voice starts a-wailing. His voice is one of the best in the business; it reaches a deep baritone and happy highs but never ceases to ooze emotion at every turn. I’ve used this analogy before but its never been more true than with McCauley; it sounds like he’s been swiggin’ whisky and smoking Marlboro Reds since he was 12.
“Goodbye, Dear Friend” is a heart wrenching ballad about, well, losing a good friend, that will have cowboys crying into their beers all over America. On “Hand in Hand” McCauley hits his falsetto spots and when he wails “Everyone in this world is alone!” you believe him.
Two other stand out tracks are “Mange” and “Piece by Piece Frame by Frame” which are heavy, dirty country-blues songs which is what fans of Deer Tick have come to expect.
The Black Dirt Sessions definitely isn’t an album for the casual top-40 music listener. Fans of country music would probably find it too “rock heavy” but if you’re a fan of good ‘ol fashioned rock ‘n roll then this album will be right up your alley.
4/5 Throwing Stars
Download these: "Piece by Piece Frame by Frame" "Mange" "Hand in my Hand" "Goodbye Dear Friend"
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