Delta Spirit
Ode to Sunshine
(Rounder)
You would be excused for assuming that, with a name like Delta Spirit, this album is by a large booming southern voice wailing at the blues. Well it kind of is and it kind of isn’t. Ode to Sunshineis indie-rock through and through, but with a soul as big as the Baptist church down the block—a soul which is on fire. And the fire is spreading. A little mayhem and ruckus (and yes, there is some wailing, too) with catchy-as-hell pop smarts (a la Small Faces via Rogue Wave) equals instant gratification that lasts and lasts and lasts. So, if songs like “Streetwalker” or “House Built for Two” get stuck in your head, don’t tell us we didn’t warn you.
Dave Hayden
This article appears in Oct 2-8, 2008.