Album: “Sugar” Rating: 3 out of 5 pitchforks Artist: Dead Confederate Label: The Artist Organization
An interesting and encouraging step forward has been taken by the Athens, Georgia band Dead Confederate with their recent release of their second full-length album, “Sugar.”
Fans of this quintet will certainly notice a difference from the 2008 full-length debut “Wrecking Ball;” but with this fresh and more refined take on the full-bodied sound that Dead Confederate will certainly become known for, fans new and old should be excited for all the potential that these men of the road are showing.
Keeping to their roots, Dead Confederate does an excellent job at blending their influences of grunge, classic rock and blues yet again. Like their previous album, a moral darkness/dilemma definitely makes its presence known. But with “Sugar,” it appears that the time they have spent on the road has been an excellent source of learning what kind of live show persona they want to have, in addition to the subtle, yet bold moves they want to take in the studio.
Whether it was intentional or not, “Sugar” seems to pick up right where the band ended “Wrecking Ball” with the first track “In the Dark,” a haunting tale of a relationship in question, if not already doomed. A new and unique performance for the second track makes way for the third, “Father Figure,” where Brantley Senn (bass, vocals) effortlessly lulls the listener into a deep trance via a powerfully rhythmic bass line that quickly becomes an anthem for those who have yet to accomplish anything in their short, confusing lives and loath having to call home.
Perhaps the most interesting track is “By Design,” a slow, yet engaging grind of a song that clearly indicates what Dead Confederate is capable of live, and could possibly become a fan favorite for this tour.
With each snap, crackle and pop of Jason Scarboro’s powerful drums, “By Design” builds into a comfortable crescendo that abruptly halts into a string arrangement leaving you wanting more, which, as Hardy Morris sings, is “all by design.”
The album’s first single (and video), “Giving It All Away,” highlights the exquisite timing that these musicians have with one another, and draws hope for someone struggling with addiction.
But the steal of this whole album is easily the title track “Sugar.” It delivers its lethal blow as quietly as possible, and then cements it with a thunderous slap to the face to anyone thinking about (or already guilty of) entertaining another romantically behind the back of his or her “better half.” The strongest element that the lyrics to this song possess is that they are unisex in their delivery and guilt. If you have been burned in the past and never got the answer as to how or why it all happened, listen to this song.
Dead Confederate recently played here at the Rhythm Room, and, while that is usually the kiss of death in my opinion, surprisingly, Dead Confederate pulled it off, as only they could. Where the Rhythm Room was still the disappointment it always is, Dead Confederate was not. As new as they are, they are very professional and personable with their audience. It is always a good sign when a band is appreciative of being able to play music for a living while traversing the globe. Thankfully, Dead Confederate blew the roof off the Rhythm Room. All we can do now is hope that they return soon to level it.
Reach the reporter at jbfortne@asu.edu
