Have you ever been poured a really stiff drink that makes the hairs on your arm stand up and a shiver go down your spine? You get that burn in your throat and breathe a bit of fire. It’s a bit uncomfortable but then after you’re used to it, it becomes warm and pleasant. I guess the same could be said for peeing in your pants. You know the feeling I’m talking about. Deer Tick is like that.
John McCauley is the singer/songwriter behind the Deer Tick moniker. After listening to War Elephant, I immediately drew comparisons to the Avett Brothers and Two Gallants because with each of those bands, the vocals were a bit grating at first. Much like a Jim Beam cocktail, I had to be persistent with Deer Tick before the songs softened up and became palatable.
The album actually won me over after I heard the finger-picking and songwriting on the first track, “Ashamed.” I continued rolling through the album and then hit “Baltimore Blues No 1,” which closed me like Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross. Deer Tick and I cemented our relationship and I’ve been a fan ever since.
Deer Tick - Diamond Rings 2007 (courtesy of Who Killed the Mixtape)
Deer Tick - Art Isn’t Real (City of Sin) (courtesy of Biomusicosophy)
Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Agreed. Deer Tick takes some getting used to… but then again, anybody that’s worth while usually does, like Bob Dylan for example. Not exactly the prettiest of voices, but after a while you couldn’t imagine anybody else singing those incredible songs… except maybe Jimi Hendrix of course. Good Post!
And let’s not forget about Tom Waits…
I love his voice. Its so real.
Great artist!
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