The Dead South’s unwavering commitment to their unique style has propelled them forward with complete artistic autonomy. Blending elements of progressive bluegrass, alternative Americana, country, folk, and western, their music transcends labels and resonates with diverse audiences worldwide. ‘Chains and Stakes’ is their fourth full-length studio album and that spirit of fierce freedom and musical risk-taking shows no signs of slowing down!
Firmly rooted in tradition yet unafraid to challenge conventions, The Dead South captivate listeners with their masterful instrumentation and timeless themes of murder, disloyalty, and the supernatural. Their signature banjo rolls, lightning-fast mandolin tremolos, and rich harmonies are delivered with a playful charm that wins over fans of all backgrounds and ages.
Embraced by a devoted following known as Good Company, The Dead South have forged a global community united by their love for the band’s music. From the Canadian prairies to concert venues around the world, fans don the band’s iconic look and come together to celebrate their shared passion for authentic, soul-stirring music.
With each album, The Dead South embarks on a journey of exploration and confidence. Their fourth full-length release sees them collaborating with producer Jimmy Nutt in the vibrant setting of Mexico City, resulting in 13 captivating tracks brimming with intricate narratives and unexpected twists. The Dead South’s mastery of banjo rolls, lightning-fast mandolin tremolos, and rich three-part harmonies shines through as they seamlessly weave together classic themes such as murder ballads, betrayal, and the supernatural, all delivered with a charming wink and smile.
Opening with the frantic banjo and mandolin frenzy of ‘Blood on My Mind,’ the album sets a lively tone with catchy melodies and textured backing vocals that add depth to the lead. Tracks like ‘Yours To Keep’ offer a mid-tempo jauntiness, exploring themes of decision-making with playful instrumentation and superb backing vocals that evoke a New Orleans-esque vibe. Meanwhile, brief interludes like ‘Clemency’ and ‘Where Has the Time Gone’ provide atmospheric palette cleansers, offering a haunting, almost ‘graveyard’ esque vibe to the album’s overall narrative.
Even the album’s two jauntiest songs, ‘The Cured Contessa’ and ’20 Mile Jump’ have something more sinister going on underneath the seemingly trivial and innocent lyrics that might be worth paying attention to whilst a song like ‘Son of Ambrose’ immerses the listener in the life of a man, from the cradle to the grave. ‘I went to war at the age of 21’ the band sing as they chronicle the life of a man from his birth to his death in 1977. Fiddles stand out here as the song barrels forward on a wave of mandolin flourishes and banjo, but again, underneath it all there’s a sadness and melancholy that The Dead South excel in weaving into their songs and stories.
Throughout the album, The Dead South expertly blend storytelling with vibrant instrumentation, as seen in tracks like ‘A Little Devil,’ a fierce song about unrequited love awash in banjo, fiddle, and mandolin. The band’s ability to seamlessly transition between different musical styles and lyrical themes is evident in tracks like ‘Completely, Sweetly,’ a vitriolic indictment underscored by dual vocals and an escalating aggression that is completely at odds with the agreeable nature of the title!
As the album progresses, poignant moments like ‘Tiny Wooden Box’ and ‘Father John’ offer introspective reflections on loneliness and loss, closing the album with dark, brooding atmospheres and cinematic lyrics that leave a lasting impact. On the former, the longest song on the album, we explore loss and loneliness in an impactful way whilst ‘Father John’ is a tale of a ‘Filthy man who loved his god,’ who seemingly has a town in thrall to him and the power to say who lives or dies.
On ‘Chains & Stakes’ The Dead South masterfully blend storytelling, instrumentals, and vocal harmonies to create a captivating journey through themes of love, loss, greed and redemption. Each track offers a unique experience, showcasing the band’s versatility and artistry in crafting compelling narratives through their music.
Tracklist: 1. Blood on the Mind 2. Yours to Keep 3. 20 Mile Jump 4. Where Has the Time Gone? 5. A Little Devil 6. Son of Ambrose 7. Clemency 8. Completely, Sweetly 9. A Place I Hardly Know 10. The Cured Contessa 11. Tiny Wooden Box 12. Yore 13. Father John Release Date: February 9th Record Label: Six Shooter Records Buy a signed ‘Chains & Stakes’ CD right here.
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