If It's Too Loud...

The theme of 2023 seems to be established artists we've loved for years leveling up and making fantastic, mainstream albums. No band did that more than Deer Tick. Emotional Contracts  sounds like Deer Tick decided they wanted to start headlining much bigger venues, and made a big rock record. Some of their previous album had that same feel, but Emotional Contracts feels much more earnest than some earlier attempts. That isn't meant as a knock on any of Deer Tick's previous releases. This one just sounds like it appeals to OG fans while opening the door as wide as possible for new ones. While Deer Tick may not quite sound like Hank Williams meets Nirvana, both of those artists' roots are all over Emotional Contracts. A song like the Ian O'Neil fronted "Forgiving Ties" is nearly impossible to resist. It still has that twangy and slightly off-tuned guitar, but it's one of the most catchy songs of the year. One of the main appeals of this incarnation of De...

Photo by CJ Harvey We can all name bands we loved, but then changed to a more mainstream sound and just lost us. It's not because we're giant music snobs (well... maybe a little) but that they changed everything about what we loved about them to try to become huge stars. While the singles from Deer Tick's upcoming album have definitely been more mainstream than they usually sound, they have not compromised a single thing to get there. The latest single, "If I Try to Leave," shows more of Deer Tick's natural progression than a complete left turn to try to get some arena rock money. Everything that has made us fans since War Elephant and Born on Flag Day through Negativity and Mayonnaise is there. If anything, "If I Try to Leave" incorporates all of Deer Tick's sounds into one cohesive, brilliant single. It has country, their huge alt-rock sound, traces of indie rock... everything Deer Tick has built towards is audible in "If I Try to Leave....

Photo by CJ Harvey This upcoming album from Deer Tick is shaping up to be one of their finest yet. While the legend of Deer Tick states that John McCauley came up with the sound while snowed in with a bottle of whiskey and albums from Nirvana and Hank Williams, that song is pretty much gone with "Once in a Lifetime." This new song has a sense of ease and joy throughout. It's a straightforward alt-rock song that is just begging to be heard during the summer, especially with the vocal harmonies that are straight out of the 1960's. The song feels like a New England working class version of a more California sound. It's the sound of a beach with cold water and less surfing. "Once in a Lifetime" is the soundtrack to drinking your Dell's frozen lemonade. You can listen to "Once in a Lifetime" below. Emotional Contracts is due out June 16th on ATO Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Deer Tick, check out their website . Upcom...

Photo by CJ Harvey Deer Tick are one of those bands that are constantly evolving while still sounding like themselves. They're no longer the Hank Williams meets Nirvana band, or even the rootsy party rockers. On their latest single "Forgiving Ties," Deer Tick are sounding quite dance friendly. It's kind of a party song, in a way but it's a little too introspective to really rock a party. It's a little New Wave-ish, or at the very least some early 80's Tom Petty influence on this one. As always with Deer Tick, it's a fun song even if it's a little heavy. Also interesting is that "Forgiving Ties" features Ian O'Neil and John McCauley sharing vocal duties. (This one is definitely an O'Neil song with McCauley handling a few lines and backing vocals.) While it's not a complete departure, this one sees Deer Tick trying some new things while still being Deer Tick. Ian O'Neil says of the new song: “The song is essentially a metaph...