Delta Spirit - History From Below

Eagerly anticipated History From Below from San Diego indie roots-rockers Delta Spirit (June 8, Rounder) is a triumphant, occasionally blistering affirmation of the band's growing critical cred, a larger-than-life, swaggering reminder of the soulful and redemptive nature of the best, most authentic American-bred rock and roll. Full of stomping, revival-styled passion, History was produced by My Morning Jacket keyboardist Bo Koster and Eli Thomson with a well-tuned ear for capturing the band's frenetic energy, a high-octane thrust that can build a hushed whisper to full-throated roar in the course of one song -- sometimes more than once. "It's been three years of straight touring off our last record so most of the songs were written in hotel rooms and tested in front of an audience," observes Delta Spirit singer/guitarist Matthew Vasquez. " We spent spent six months of this last year making a record that sums up three years of growing up."

One key to Delta Spirit's success is that while things may sound like they're spinning out of control, the fact is that the sprawling dynamics are all closely held, viscerally and commandingly, in grasp. Demonstrated effectively on their raucous and soulful debut Ode To Sunshine, this kinetic style is wielded with even greater impact on History. The galloping lead track "Bushwick Blues" is a muscular but sure-footed example of what that philosophical rocker David Lee Roth meant when he said that rock was "folk music shot from guns". "Hold on to my hand, never let go" sings Vasquez as the band ignites behind a haze of smoke and flash, pushing and prodding to the song's climactic release. Highly recommended.

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Delta Spirit - "Bushwick Blues" (from the album History From Below)