Deer Tick - Divine Providence

The little known, and relatively new group, Deer Tick, is a near poster child for independent music. Getting their start in 2004 in Providence, Rhode Island, the now-quintet (John McCauley – guitar, vocals; Ian O’Neil – guitar, vocals; Chris Ryan – bass, vocals; Rob Crowell – keys, saxophone, vocals; Dennis Ryan – drums, vocals) fits the mold almost perfectly. Their folk roots mesh well with the clear influences from a variety of genres like country, blues, rock, punk and even, dare I say, the slightest touch of pop. Their dirty, sometimes cheap tone, gives them that “we don’t give a fuck” sound. Hell, even their website gives off a “we don’t need no stinkin’ corporate money” vibe. And this can all be felt in their latest, Divine Providence.

The fourth album in their repertoire, Divine Providence is as straight forward an album as any indie fan could want. Nothing fancy, nothing revolutionary, and also nothing stale. It’s just five guys, their instruments and some no-bullshit emotion, all smashed together in a collective effort that rocks you…and them.

It’s not every day a band starts an album with a call-and-answer tune. And can you find the one moment in “The Bump” when McCauley channels his inner Johnny Cash? “Funny Word” is a sax solo and strutting lead singer away from being a Rolling Stones tune. “Let’s All Go to the Bar” really needs no comments, other than to say that pretty much every one of us has been on either the giving or receiving end of this conversation. The Johnny that’s got a bottle of wine in “Something to Brag About” might just remind you of another Johnny…that one from deep down in Louisiana, close to New Orleans. How about throwing in a hidden/bonus track as an homage to cigarettes. Why not?

There’s also the more subdued “Clownin’ Around,” “Main Street” and “Chevy Express,” the needy “Electric,” and the downright charming “Now It’s Your Turn” and “Miss K.” So, it’s not necessarily all fun and games. They have a serious side too.

Deer Tick is the band, and Divine Providence the album, you want playing in the bar. It evokes that beer- and whiskey-drinking desire–to be sitting around a table with friends, the music weaving in and out of your mind between the hearty laughs and angry diatribes that accompany such a night. And while it might not be the album you throw on with headphones hoping it takes you to your Zen place, it definitely is one you put on when you feel like just being human. Anger, humor, sarcasm and honesty, the emotions that get us through every day, they’re all there and you can feel them from start to finish.

Rating
Overall: 3.5/5
Originality: 3/5
Production: 2.5/5 (but that’s not a bad thing in this case)
Listenability: 4/5