HISTORY FROM BELOW (ROUNDER). Release Date 14 June, 2010

It all started with an innocent-looking, simple card-sleeved promo CD popping through my letterbox. I listened once and thought, ‘interesting but not devastating’, and then put it to one side for later, for more considered listening. And there it remained until I started planning a future radio show and the selection of a ‘feature’ album from which 3 songs would be played. I’d run out of great albums and then remembered that card-sleeved promo sitting, rather sadly, next to my player, in a pile of one. So in Delta Spirit’s ODE TO SUNSHINE went and then proceeded to take up residence. Yes folks, it does happen (rarely) that an almost forgotten album can turn out to be rather special.

Delta Spirit is a quintet out of San Diego, California. Jonathan Jameson (bass), Brandon Young (drums, percussion), Sean Walker (guitar), Kelly Winrich (piano, high strung guitar, percussion) and Matt Vasquez (vocals, guitar, piano) are friends who share a love of music. Hanging out with them in their dressing room it soon became obvious that these guys love what they do, are great friends and have as much interest in other artists’ music. Matt and I chatted on after the interview and I came away with a ‘highly recommended music-to-buy list.’

Cometh the band, cometh the dreaded second album, the one that very often fails to meet critical expectations; the one that comes after practice and qualifying for grid position - the final race. Well, the guys may well take the centre spot on the podium with this follow-up - it’s that good.

The record starts innocently enough with the Tex-Mex, radio-friendly vibe of ‘911′ and a simple acoustic guitar chord. As the song progresses it gets more interesting with soaring backing vocals, flashes of piano, clattering drums and of course Matt’s solid vocal - and all driven by a monster melody. The first single, ‘Bushwick Blues’, is one grower of a song with its machine-gun pace, brilliant instrumental choruses, great vocal and a driving drum rhythm. But then the band slot into top gear with ‘Salt In The Wound.’ It’s a downbeat, moving song with great lyrics and a melody that sticks in the head big-time. Matt’s vocal is superb and the production is peerless.  It develops into a song of epic proportions and is close to musical genius.

‘White Table’ sustains the quality but ups the distinction/originality stakes with its percussive moments, stop-go style, building speed and drum-led crescendos. Fabulous! ‘Ransom Man’ is the most gorgeous acoustic, swaying alt-country tune, while ‘Devil Knows You’re Dead’ powers up the rhythm, ups the emo stakes and melody, with heart-stopping choruses completing another great package. ‘Golden State’ is rockier, up-tempo, joyous and amongst this gaggle of great songs is a powerful highlight. This could be a chart-denting single…

‘Scarecrow’ is rather like an impromptu, simple folk song performed acoustically at a BBQ or in a pub (with chattering voices in the background), and is just beautiful. ‘Vivian’ takes a similar generic path and rolls gently along with tumbling piano notes, harmonica and death-march drum beats. Solo country guitar eventually enters for a brief spell before Matt comes back with a heart-melting vocal. ‘St. Francis’ changes tone completely with its highly original guitar riffs. The soaring vocal, tribal drums and brass section creates a sound of epic Tex-Mex proportions, with a melody to-die-for. ‘Ballad Of Vitality’ is an acoustic cautionary tale of immense beauty that gradually builds with drums making a forceful entry and leading a mid-tempo charge. The song’s haunting instrumental finale is magical.

This album represents a significant leap forward for the band and could so easily become one of our top albums of the year. Essential.

5/5

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