Review Summary: This album is musically technical and full of poetic genius. it's a great album to enjoy this summer. Dead South fans should be called "Deadheads" like the Grateful Dead.
Having listened to all of the Dead South albums for the first time last year, this album is their best so far. The songs are polished, the lyrics are superb, and the album flows well. Many times halfway through a previous Dead South album their sound would change. Their lyrics would suffer or their song composition would become predictable. This album remains solid the whole way through.
The first three tracks of the album may be some of the best Dead songs out there. The lyrics are good, as are the lead singing and harmonies that give the Dead South their signature sound. They truly play a spectacular role in the album. The point that should be made is what makes this album flow is its musicality, especially from the banjo! The banjo makes this album move along at a well-timed pace. Some of the solo banjo work is a joy to listen to and is impressive. Not to detract from the other musicians their parts are superb as well, but this is what was missing from many of their previous albums. That, and the track quality and polish of this album. The album's songs are just the right pace, not too fast, not too slow.
Is there a "Broken Cowboy" or "In Hell I'll Be Good Company" on this album? No, but the listener receives better music and a higher level of musicianship. The instruments and the vocals work in perfect harmony for this album. I'd argue this is one of the best country albums in the past five years, it's everything the Dead South always meant to be. "Sugar and Joy" had better highs but its lows slowed the album down. Their two "Easy Listening" albums taught them the musicality they needed because one can hear it in their latest album. This album kicks ass!!
