Deer Tick - Born On Flag Day

shiv · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:15 pm

Quote:

Deer Tick seems to get lumped into the young, urban "new folk" movement, and if the buzzed-about band's sophomore album, following a 2007 disc released on Jana Hunter's label, is an indication, it's an awkward categorization. Deer Tick's primary member, John McCauley, is indeed young and comes from Providence's gallery scene, but McCauley's music takes a rollicking twist, channeling Richie Valens proto-roadhouse rockabilly rather than John Fahey or other soft voices.

And it's just as well-McCauley's overdriven Sonny Bono-esque yowl couldn't be soft much more than a cup of broken glass could. Indeed, his voice stabs out at you on first listen, and maybe puts you off. At least this listener was able to get over it after a few songs, and found a fun, rewarding record. This is kind of the story for the music as well: It's so stylized, it can be a bit much to swallow. Or maybe it's just that Deer Tick makes twangy music that's not autumnal and weepy.

Though it does have those moments. "Song About a Man" is gently finger-picked acoustic guitar and a restrained McCauley singing lyrics of regret between harmonica solos. Born on Flag Day is at its absolute best when it lets another vocalist in, a sweet counterpoint to McCauley coarse grit. With the honey-voiced Liz Isenberg singing a verse and harmonizing with McCauley on the chorus, "Friday XIII" lopes along through refrains of "won't you pleeeease love me again." It's not a slow number so much, but amid a great many songs that scream drinkin' and dancin', its tenderness is refreshing.

riyl: okkervil river, lucero, my morning jacket

http://www.hidelinks.com/?d6soporhmq

shiv · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:17 pm

here's their first album.

Code:

http://www.mediafire.com/?6aw42zgfmfn

bort · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:25 pm

cool. i really liked his first album.

Kingfish · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:40 pm

Thanks! I've been wanting to check this out.

Z · **Joined:** Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:38 pm **Posts:** 7979

yeah, i've really liked this. the vocals are almost exactly like dead confederate. but the riyls up there match well. we'll see how it holds up, but after a week it's pretty solid.

Timis · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:14 pm

thanks shiv - will be checking this out for sure!

DumpJack · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:19 pm

Yeah, Gar recommended the debut to me a few weeks ago. Good stuff, Lucero-ish is always welcome.

Timis · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:22 pm

DumpJack Wrote:

Yeah, Gar recommended the debut to me a few weeks ago. Good stuff, Lucero-ish is always welcome.

Promethium · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:09 pm

There making a stop here in Lincoln this Thursday. I'll give a listen to their first album, since I've only heard parts of the latest one.

thisotherkingdom · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:36 pm

Thanks! I'm seein' them tomorrow open for Jenny Lewis. I like what I've heard so far (off myspace), been wanting to hear the new one before the show.

Promethium · **Posted:** Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:44 pm

thisotherkingdom Wrote:

Thanks! I'm seein' them tomorrow open for Jenny Lewis. I like what I've heard so far (off myspace), been wanting to hear the new one before the show.

Her gig in Omaha with them on Wednesday sold out, but I think that has more to do with the small venue than the line-up.

ptrck · **Joined:** Wed Oct 27, 2004 10:55 pm **Posts:** 5568

im going to see them on 7/5 i like the new one but i think the first one i like more

seeing them with tallest man on earth btw who i really looking forward to

seafoam · **Posted:** Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:46 am

I remember seeing them interviewed on Britunes, I think from an obner thread. They sounded alright, but I didn't latch onto it it. I'll try again.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/30585895#30585895

Promethium · **Posted:** Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:59 am

Yeah, I like War Elephant quite a bit more than I do Born on Flag Day, but they are both good albums after a full listen.

thisotherkingdom · **Posted:** Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:21 pm

I'm loving this album, especially after seeing them live over the weekend. They rocked.

shiv · **Posted:** Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:49 am

[img][648:648]http://store.partisanrecords.com/prodpics/marblegreyshirt-sm.jpg[/img]

Elvis Fu · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 5:00 pm

Chad nudged me back toward this, and I'm loving it. This is more what I always wanted bands like MMJ to sound like. "Easy", "Houston, Tx" and "Hell on Earth" on just hitting my Fu-Spot.

Promethium · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 5:18 pm

They are playing here again on September 18th.

Yail Bloor · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:21 pm

Elvis Fu Wrote:

Chad nudged me back toward this, and I'm loving it. This is more what I always wanted bands like MMJ to sound like. "Easy", "Houston, Tx" and "Hell on Earth" on just hitting my Fu-Spot.

I'm on a big kick with these guys too. Frighteningly good.

DumpJack · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:25 pm

Fuck I forgot all about this album.

Kingfish · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:57 pm

Good album. The guy is kind of a douche though.

shiv · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:10 pm

Kingfish Wrote:

The guy is kind of a douche though.

how so?

Kingfish · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:19 pm

boner pills Wrote:

Kingfish Wrote:

The guy is kind of a douche though.

how so?

That's probably presumptious. He guest hosted a radio show on XMU. I thought he was kind of an ass on the show, but I love the album anyway.

Thee Incident · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:00 pm

Yeah, this thing is all kinds of good.

Good: They're playing ACL Fest in a few weeks.

Bad: They're playing early on Saturday, a day I have a 9-noon class so chances are I won't make it to see them.

Thee Incident · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:03 pm

HOLD THE PHONE!!!

Fri, Oct. 2
Deer Tick w/ The Henry Clay People & Alberta Cross at Emoâ€™s Jr.

I luuuuuuvs me some ACL Fest after shows. Hail yes, I do.

Deer Tick - Born On Flag Day

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