Sugar & Joy
Six Shooter, 2019
9/10
The Canadian bluegrass stars The Dead South return with a 3rd album, and, not so surprisingly if you’ve been following their progression, their cello, mandolin, guitar and banjo prowess has never sounded better.
After the acrobatic banjo picking of the instrumental opener “Act Of Approach”, “Diamond Ring” follows with a rhythmic and Americana influenced tune of strong musicianship and vivid storytelling.
In the middle, “Fat Little Killer Boy” moves with a shuffling pace and blues sensibilities in the swift setting, while “Broken Cowboy” offers a dusty ballad of dark spirited beauty. Further along, album highlight “Heaven In A Wheelbarrow” displays skilled banjo in a harmonic execution of blues and folk ideas that few could replicate.
At the end, “Alabama People” unfolds with a dramatic landscape where bass adds much to the affair, and “Distance Yourself” exits the listen with ambience amid timeless bluegrass sensibilities.
Don’t feel too bad if you hadn’t heard of these guys, but best to familiarize yourself now, cause their bluegrass, folk, bluesy formula is one everyone you know will be talking about soon and for years to come.
Travels well with: The Garrett Newton Band- Bluegrass Barn; Night Flyer- Flight