I got a fever--Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever that is. I got it from Deer Tick aka John McCauley, one of two acts on Jana Hunter's new-er label Feow! Records. I've had it since I listened to his debut, War Elephant, way back in July, and I wrote about this wonderful ailment in the July/August issue of American Songwriter.
Deer Tick is John McCauley, a baby-faced, twenty-one-year-old
singer/songwriter hailing from Providence, Rhode Island. McCauley
writes songs wise beyond his years and sounds a lot more rural East
Texas than folky New England. His voice is quite similar to that of
Jim Croce, also a northerner who dabbled in southern-flavored
songwriting. And like another proclaimed influence, Townes Van Zandt,
McCauley has a knack for lyrical imagery. On the dismal "Dirty Dishes"
he sings, "And that cold wind will blow/ Tear the skin off your nose/
And you got nothing to be grateful for/ But your list of wishes." It's only one example of the inventive wordplay—and undeniable talent—displayed on War Elephant.
If you aren't sweating bullets and having cold chills after reading that scintillating piece of critical prose, you'll certainly become stricken after listening to some tracks.
Deer Tick-Various Tracks from War Elephant [Stream]
It's embarrassing that it's taken me this long to post about Deer Tick. Oh, here's a live video of "Dirty Dishes." It's definitely my favorite song from the album.
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