Chains & Stakes
Six Shooter, 2023
9/10
The 4th studio record from the Canadian bluegrass sensations The Dead South, the songs here have the quartet exploring their 3 part harmonies and string interaction even further.
The gritty and harmonic “Blood On The Mind” opens the listen with the fluid banjo making an impression, and “Yours To Keep” follows with a hint of folk song craft buried into the rich strings.
Moving into the middle the glowing mandolin of the animated “A Little Devil” soars high, while “Clemency” is a quick dip into intimate areas of heartfelt, dreamy ideas.
Near to the end, “Tiny Wooden Box” showcases the sublime vocal harmonies amid both rugged and melodic waves, and “Father John” exits with vivid storytelling and cautious instrumentation that you can’t help but admire.
There’s little doubt that The Dead South are among the best in the area of modern bluegrass, and the moments of country, Americana, folk and western nods won’t go unnoticed, either, across this career highlight.
Travels well with: Melody Fields- 1991; La Faute- Blue Girl Nice Day