Album Review: The Delines – The Imperial (Décor)

Every once and a while a record hits you straight in the heart upon the very first listen. Such is the case with The Delines’ second album, The Imperial. The combination of Willy Vlautin’s cinematic songwriting and Amy Boone’s soulful vocals make this album virtually irresistible.

It’s a record that very nearly didn’t get made.

Boone was the victim of a car accident in Austin, Texas in March 2016 resulting in having both her legs broken. It took multiple surgeries and ongoing physiotherapy before she was able to work again.

Meanwhile Willy Vlautin, formerly of Richmond Fontaine, had a stockpile of new songs just waiting to be sung and to be heard.  Finally, here they are.

Despite being based in Portland, Oregon, The Delines have conjured up the feeling of classic Muscle Shoals country soul on The Imperial. Think back to mid-60s era Etta James and you get the idea.

Boone’s vocal approach is reminiscent of James, with just a touch of Karen Carpenter thrown in for good measure.

The first four songs on the album deal with personal relationships, heartbreak and longing. Cory Gray’s electric piano set the mood immediately on Cheer Up Charlie while Tucker Jackson’s pedal steel cries softly in the background.

Vlautin’s attention to detail makes every song come alive. The listener feels they are peering in to a collection of short stories, rather than songs. There are names, places and circumstances mentioned that can only come from hard living and keen observation.

But they are songs, wonderful song with strong melodies and deep emotions.

The title song finds the singer addressing an old lover, recently released from prison, going through the regret, the nostalgia (The Imperial was their apartment building) and the sadness associated with the ten years apart.

Let’s Be Us Again mines similar emotional turf, the singer longing to get back together….”I can’t wait to be like I used to be”.

Track five, Roll Back My Life serves as something of a bookmark, a late night slow burner that makes way for the next set of songs which are more character-driven.

Eddy & Polly follow a young, reckless couple to New Orleans, partying all the way until their money, their luck and the affection for each other runs out.

Holly The Hustle tells the story of a teenage girl, her broken family and the abuse she put up with after leaving home.

Every song here is a gem. Every one with touch you in one way or another.  This will easily wind up on my “best of 2019” list.

Marty Duda

Click here to check out the 13th Floor interview with Delines vocalist Amy Boone.