Middle Brother Madness

The members of Middle Brother, courtesy of Partisan Records

What do you get when you combine Dawes, Delta Spirit and Deer Tick? It may just sound like a tongue twister, but a member of each of these three bands came together to form new alternative super group Middle Brother.

John J. McCauley III of Deer Tick, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes and Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit came together last year to play their first show as a late night, unannounced event during SXSW, and are ready to release their debut album March 1st. Here’s a preview on what this trio has to offer and what to expect out of their self titled release.

With different styles coming together through one project, Middle Brother’s sound varies from track to track and the guys take turns singing and leading the songs in their own direction. All three bands have a common rock base, but differ in tone. Dawes embodies twangy-folk rock, with a strong clean voice ringing out above the melodies; Deer Tick takes a rougher, more country inspired approach, with a scratchy voice rumbling out the words, and Delta Spirit personifies soulful, raw rock with smooth but passionate vocals.

Once you listen to Middle Brother, you realize that they’ve cultivated a unique soundscape, full of folk-infused tracks with raw vocals and a variety of tones. They amplify their song writing skills and a deliver soulful, passionate soundtrack.

The twelve tracks on “Middle Brother” flow easily into one another while still providing a dynamic sound, and avoiding monotony completely. The first track, “Daydreaming,” starts with finger-picking acoustic guitar melodies with the not-professionally-good-but-it-works-so-well voice of McCaully singing an unconventional love song. From there, Vasquez joins in to ring out his voice over chords full of twang on the track “Blue Eyes.” The third song, “Thanks For Nothing,” is just as different with deep descending bass notes are plucked underneath Goldsmith’s pure vocals. As each member shows the roots of their original bands, you almost expect the songs have been that band’s sole project, but then the other guys join in and fill out the sound to something richer, more textured and more interesting.

It’s a difficult band to describe because their songs differ so much, each with its own attitude and artistic approach, but “Middle Brother” is definitely catchy and entertaining. I’ve quickly been keeping their songs looping without even realizing. The album jumps from energetic, fun, upbeat tracks to more pensive, melodic, thoughtful songs, providing a great overview of all different folk-rock music.

There’s sure to be at least one song you’ll like on this 12-track album, so if you have any interest in folk-rock variations (or any of the three bands that now make up Middle Brother), give this album a listen when Partisan Records drops it on the 1st, or tune in to Left of the Dial on WTBU from 4-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, where this CD is currently in rotation.

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