Album Review: decker., Slider
Genre: Modern Folk/Murderesque Americana
RIYL: Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Billy Bragg, The White Stripes, Gillian Welch
decker. is a very interesting and somewhat mysterious musical presence. Some of you might smirk at my reference above to “murderesque Americana,” but the type of emotional response that decker. provides with Slider is like that of rediscovering old murder ballads with a decidedly modern twist. Essentially, Brandon Decker’s songwriting is an evolved and trippy brand of folk music that feels decidedly borne from the red rocks surrounding his home in Sedona, Arizona.
From start to finish, decker’s very distinct sound feels taiilor-made for a Coen Bros. Western. Dark, atmospheric and uncomfortably honest, this type of balladry is a rarity among modern folk offerings. Brandon Decker’s piercing vocals sound downright primitive at times, and evoke comparisons to Jack White and Andrew Wood (Mother Love Bone - RIP). If this type of vocal performance and original sound weren’t enough, this is only enhanced with intensity by an often naked acoustic instrument arrangement and sparse melody line.
The aptly titled “Speak in Tongues” opens the album and wisely sets the tone for what is truly an interesting ride. “Shadow Days” is also a standout, pushing the boundaries of folk with plaintive electric guitar and an intensely captivating vocal track. The placement of “Blowhard” directly after it offers a slight turn toward a more soulful Decker. Lyrically, it’s a compelling tale of isolation, blame, regret and all those emotions that inform our dark underbellies.
“Weight in Gold, Pts. 1 & 2” provide a great bookend for some of the darker moments on the album. These two songs, in particular, show yet another subtle strength with Decker’s songwriting - use of repeated elements, themes and instrumentation. The placement of harmonies throughout the release, but especially in “Killing Me” and “Cotton, Jane Doe” provide power and added intensity to already weighty material. Closing track “Robes of a Prophet” seems to wind down to the spot where “Speak in Tongues” began, a climactic and satisfying end to the listener’s journey through Slider.
What decker. accomplishes with this release is very simple: by combining the elements of classic folk with vivid lyrical imagery, they’ve branded themselves a distinct new sound all their own. This is not a quick-shot listen, or a record that provides clear-cut singles. This is for the patient listener, the one who likes their music tiptoeing with purpose in the dark places in the mind. Definitely not for the weak-hearted, or easily spooked. But what a find. Somewhere deep in the red rocks, decker. is making music that matters.
decker. website: http://deckermusic.org/
This review originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_decker._slider
RIYL: Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Billy Bragg, The White Stripes, Gillian Welch
decker. is a very interesting and somewhat mysterious musical presence. Some of you might smirk at my reference above to “murderesque Americana,” but the type of emotional response that decker. provides with Slider is like that of rediscovering old murder ballads with a decidedly modern twist. Essentially, Brandon Decker’s songwriting is an evolved and trippy brand of folk music that feels decidedly borne from the red rocks surrounding his home in Sedona, Arizona.
From start to finish, decker’s very distinct sound feels taiilor-made for a Coen Bros. Western. Dark, atmospheric and uncomfortably honest, this type of balladry is a rarity among modern folk offerings. Brandon Decker’s piercing vocals sound downright primitive at times, and evoke comparisons to Jack White and Andrew Wood (Mother Love Bone - RIP). If this type of vocal performance and original sound weren’t enough, this is only enhanced with intensity by an often naked acoustic instrument arrangement and sparse melody line.
The aptly titled “Speak in Tongues” opens the album and wisely sets the tone for what is truly an interesting ride. “Shadow Days” is also a standout, pushing the boundaries of folk with plaintive electric guitar and an intensely captivating vocal track. The placement of “Blowhard” directly after it offers a slight turn toward a more soulful Decker. Lyrically, it’s a compelling tale of isolation, blame, regret and all those emotions that inform our dark underbellies.
“Weight in Gold, Pts. 1 & 2” provide a great bookend for some of the darker moments on the album. These two songs, in particular, show yet another subtle strength with Decker’s songwriting - use of repeated elements, themes and instrumentation. The placement of harmonies throughout the release, but especially in “Killing Me” and “Cotton, Jane Doe” provide power and added intensity to already weighty material. Closing track “Robes of a Prophet” seems to wind down to the spot where “Speak in Tongues” began, a climactic and satisfying end to the listener’s journey through Slider.
What decker. accomplishes with this release is very simple: by combining the elements of classic folk with vivid lyrical imagery, they’ve branded themselves a distinct new sound all their own. This is not a quick-shot listen, or a record that provides clear-cut singles. This is for the patient listener, the one who likes their music tiptoeing with purpose in the dark places in the mind. Definitely not for the weak-hearted, or easily spooked. But what a find. Somewhere deep in the red rocks, decker. is making music that matters.
decker. website: http://deckermusic.org/
This review originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_decker._slider
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