Album Review: Delta Spirit, What Is There (New West Records)

What Is There is not a question. Delta Spirit on this album take a tour through Heartland America. They can be as bemused and resigned as anyone over the course of this unprecedented year. But the music drives it with optimism to foreshadow a brighter future. So, it is distinctively American.

They were the spirit of Americana. Loved their debut album Ode to Sunshine which also seemed invested in mid-period Beatles. Stopped the travelling roadshow after their last, Into the Wide six years ago. This is the result of two years of reconnecting. No surprise then that relationships and love informs a lot of the songs. It always does.

Singer and guitarist Matthew Logan Vasquez also wanted to delve deeper into wider issues that personal trauma raises. There is a Springsteen sensibility to some of the writing.

The Pressure is straight-ahead Power-Pop and stadium friendly.

It Aint Easy is full of hooks in the first twenty seconds. A good Rocker with drumming that helps it swing.  A piano like the E-Street’s Roy Bittan.

How Bout It showcases the great vocals of Vasquez. A distinctive tenor with occasional leaps to falsetto. Pitched somewhere between John Mellencamp and Tom Petty. Incantatory singing here. Loses momentum a bit in the middle with some stadium rock blanketing. Brought back by the singer. Guitarist William McLaren indulges in some pyrotechnics for the head-bangers.  About Las Vegas but uses it as a larger metaphor.

Took a brick to the back of the head/ They said welcome to Vegas, baby.

Can You Ever Forgive Me Is Americana with a Pop sensibility. Acoustic guitar rhythm to the fore. Power moves and keyboards are kept to a minimum. The slow march dominates. The singer can be expressive and restrained.

The feel here is tending to Seventies Melodic Pop. The band self-produced this, with multi-instrumentalist Kelly Winrich to the fore. First time without a dedicated producer. At times there is too much clutter and density in the sound, where judicious editing may have helped.

Making Sense is melodic Americana Pop with less baggage or clutter. Echoes of Top Petty from Vasquez. Starts light on its feet but winds up the intensity instrumentally and overheats.

The last three then mix all the elements a bit differently and stand out for me personally.

Lovers Heart is Indie-Folk and Vasquez sings like Paul Simon. A rhythm drone with piano and drums taking the lead. A sprinkling of synthesiser. Breaks into a sunny light-filled expanse as the voice keeps low and measured. Float like a ghost/ My spirit is broken.

Just the Same is spare and simple. Piano and acoustic guitar come to the fore, some echo effects help it to shine. The singer walks this one along. Both struggle in this relationship. When you’d come home drunk and could barely stand/ And I’d strip your clothes off and hold your hand/ Then I’d walk you to your bed ‘cause you could barely see/ And we’d lie down till you fell asleep/ And I love you just the same.

A good sounding album with a tendency to be over-inclusive. The singer keeps it all together throughout.

What Is There is virtually a demo in contrast. Mostly acoustic guitar, beautiful singing, a river in the background. Spiritual reflection on life. Also, for the band to come together again. Austin to Australia/ New York to Neverland/ I’ll find you in another life.

Rev Orange Peel