THE DEAD SOUTH
I don’t normally write much about albums released past a year or so but The Dead South’s 2014 release Good Company (Curve Records) is so impressive I must relent. I found this Regina, Saskatchewan Canadian old time string band one day scrolling though YouTube and catching one of their videos. The song “In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company” was so entertaining I had to download their record. And then I was really blown away.
It’s strange how tastes change. This old metal head and indie lover is starting to listen to more americana, folk and outlaw country than ever before. Artists like The Dead South is the reason why. Their use of punkish strings and rousing harmonies is brash and lively. Their gritty vocals (three of the four members share lead vocals) are a perfect fit for their brilliant songs filled with ominous and earthy lyrics. These are tunes our forefathers would have sung sitting around the campfire. Revenge, love lost and the hard life are constant themes. The musicianship of Nate Hilts (Guitar/Vocals), Scott Pringle (Mandolin/Vocals), Danny Kenyon (Cello/Vocals) and Colton Crawford (Banjo) is impeccable. I love their musical solos and the intertwining of their respective instruments.
Good Company opens with “Long Gone”, a fast paced ditty that sets the mood for the record. The banjo wails, the guitar flails and the vocals hit their mark. The next song “Achilles” features sweet harmonies and deals with a lost and deprived soul looking for redemption and a way home. “Recap” and the fore mentioned “In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company” follow and are the true meat of Good Company. “Recap” recounts the life and times of the stereotypical bad boy who is always finding trouble and a good fight. The Dead South draws you directly into the character’s life and eternal flaws. We all know a “Recap”. “In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company” is just plain quirky and playful. There is no way the instrumentation and precise vocals don’t put a smile on your face. The song captures the true essence of The Dead South; rustic rambunctiousness with a modern flair.
“Travellin’ Man” is a banjo players heaven. Get ready for some feet stomping and toe tapping. “Honey You” is a wonderful love song with grainy vocals and an amazing cello solo. Listen to the picking on “Ballad for Janoski”. It will snake throughout your bones down to the marrow. The horn interlude and harmonic chant at the end is a perfect sendoff. “Down the Road” is a song of revenge and despair and the intensity will envelope your absolute spirit. “The Dead South” with its sea faring warble is a gem of a drinking song. Pass the grog. “That Bastard Son”, Deep When The River’s High” and “Into The Valley” each with its own flavor are immaculate. The Dead South close out with “Banjo Odyssey”. Its tongue -in-cheek lyrics are a suburb ending to a near perfect record.
The Dead South is a breath of fresh air. Their 2016 album Illusion and Doubt just carries on where Good Company leaves off. The Dead South ranked high on my playlist in 2018 and probably for a long while.
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THE DEAD SOUTH
- Nate Hilts—————Guitar/Vocals
- Scott Pringle————Mandolin/Vocals
- Danny Kenyon———Cello/Vocals
- Colton Crawford——-Banjo
Good Company is The Dead South‘s first album
- Good Company——–2014 Curve
- Illusion and Doubt—-2016 Curve
Next post———————At The Sun
To learn more about The Dead South, check out their website
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