Dead Confederate: Sugar... craving it yet? Get it August 24

You should be. Craving it, that is. Dead Confederate’s new album, Sugar, … is no, I’m not gonna go there… (insert cheesy play on album title here.) It’s ten tracks that will make you do anything you can to see them live. I can only imagine the noise that these songs bring, played live, and the vocal poignancy of these lyrics, heard up close. But, as it is recorded, their music on this album just might be the most memorable of the year so far. Dead Confederate has almost caught lightening in a bottle. Unlike their previous work, critics will undoubtedly disagree on exactly how to categorize Sugar. Thankfully, that does not make it stand out any less.

From the opening track, “In The Dark,” a driving, buzzing, tune that somehow plows through all that some unforgettable guitar hooks, to the final song, “Shocked To Realize” whose title alone instantly puts the melody of the tune into your head, Dead Confederate roll out their accomplishments. The percussion is often relentlessly beautiful, building and carrying it all to a crashing end. When it’s not, as in more tender songs like “By Design,” Jason Scarboro gives us a hollow heartbeat. Guitar, keys and bass concoct so many iterations of familiar sounds, placed in new settings.

Although I’ve argued Sugar is not neatly packed into a genre, I will venture to say that this is most definitely a Southern rock record, infused with a post-new wave sensibility. And in my book, that’s certainly no insult. “Mob Scene” for all that it tries to create a “modern wall of sound” sound with all that reverb can’t help but echo the blues. The next track, however, “Semi-Thought” is seemingly from an altogether different band. Where vocals and guitar chords were bent and drawn out, they are now strictly upright and clipped, I’m reminded of Apse’s 2009 album, Climb Up just enough to go play a few tracks in comparison. It’s the instrumentation of that album that sparked my memory. Dead Confederate incorporates such a variety of influences on Sugar, if it weren’t for the strength of their vision as a band, of their own sound, this album might suffer for it. I think it decidedly does not.

Hardy Morris’ vocals and lyrics will, of course, be the focus for most fans of this music. And they will not be disappointed or misled. As with Wrecking Ball, this new album is honest, authentic, and at the same time written with lyrics that will sell. They’re giving away their single, aptly named “Giving It All Away.” This song could easily soon be on the lips of girls everywhere. But the real gem of the album, in my mind, is the title track, “Sugar.” Morris delivers just the right amount of exaggerated weariness in the low tones to completely own this song, in such a personal way. He speaks so clearly in those verses to the listener, much more than any part of the chorus could do. It’s a perfect example of how a singer transforms something, no matter how it was written or intended. And following it up with “Shocked To Realize” is a stroke of genius. I cannot think of any other way to end this, a tragic and yet gentle let down. I’ve listened to this album more than I should for this review. Each time I understand it’s pacing a little better. Let this one sink in. Go buy it and give it some thought, you’ll find yourself thinking about it more than you should, xoxo

Their MySpace page has Tour Info, they’re coming by you! Chicago, it’s September 22 at the Double Door! $15 via Ticketfly (print at home and they charge you $4.88 service charge) or go to the Double Door and buy them there with a $2 service fee.