History From Below

If you were being unkind, you might say Delta Spirit were derivative as hell, citing a track like Golden State and its lyric about roads that "stretch a thousand miles in every way." But that's probably the point of a record that almost serves as a primer of, or introduction to, four decades of American freeway rock for wannabe high plains drifters everywhere.

Delta Spirit have already proved they can maintain a level of consistency matched with a clear penchant for musical growth that has me fairly salivating for what the future holds.

Delta spirit's secret weapon is drummer Brandon Young, who supercharges the largely acoustic arrangements, bringing assertiveness and uplift everywhere. [Jul 2010, p.106]

Delta Spirit is a California band with a Southern-fried sound. This is especially apparent on the group's third album, History From Below, an attractive showcase of twangy, soulful rock balladry.

History from Below is clever, heartfelt, and well-crafted, and suggests this band is solidly building on the promise of their debut.

In these economically difficult times, there is is at least one certainty: Delta Spirit is a sound investment for your record collection. [Summer 2010, p.83]

Frontman Matthew Vasquez wraps his harried croak around folk rock that recalls darkest Bright Eyes, raining doom like a black-hatted backwoods preacher with images of blood and chains.