Middle Brother is a project comprised of members from Deer Tick, Dawes, and Delta Spirit (John McCauley, Taylor Goldsmith, and Matt Vasquez, respectively). Unsurprisingly, the product of this meeting of the minds is a juicy, 12-song slice of Americana.By Basement DJ : The Doctor
Middle Brother is a project comprised of members from Deer Tick, Dawes, and Delta Spirit (John McCauley, Taylor Goldsmith, and Matt Vasquez, respectively). Unsurprisingly, the product of this meeting of the minds is a juicy, 12-song slice of Americana. McCauley, Goldsmith, and Vasquez trade off solos and lead vocal duties throughout the album, offering foot-stomping southern rock songs and plaintive ballads with lyrics from the heartbreak and pastoral departments. Though hardly original, Middle Brother does alt-country/rock so well that it's as if the band consists of Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, and Kurt Cobain's contemporary indie-rock alter-egos. This is a rare instance of a "supergroup" matching the quality of the projects from which its members arrive. Truly a union that was meant to be.
Recommended if you like: Son Volt, Ryan Adams, the Jayhawks
Focus tracks: "Blue Eyes", "Someday", "Theater"