Album Review: Deer Tick - Divine Providence

Rhode Island reprobates Deer Tick have ditched the country-rock leanings of their first few albums and turned in a set of rock'n'roll drinking songs and tales of road debauchery which would give any sane person second thoughts about letting them crash on your sofa.

Opening track The Bump's refrain – “We're full grown men! But we act like kids!/We'll face the music, next time we come in” – is like the mission statement for some delinquent version of The Monkees, all snotty boasting over a barrelling barroom stomp. Someone mutters “You fuckin' douchebag” before the Stones-y Funny Word tries to rip apart the concept of love, and the shouty drinking anthem Let's All Go To The Bar conjures the hedonistic bonhomie of The Replacements (an inkling confirmed later in the piece when the album's hidden track ends up being a ragged cover of Paul Westerberg's Mr Cigarette).

Most of the songs showcase the slightly caustic worldview of frontman John McCauley, although drummer Dennis Ryan offers the country confessional Clownin' Around, and guitarist Ian O'Neil (formerly of Titus Andronicus) slips in smooth redemption tale Walkin Out The Door and somewhat turgid country rocker Now It's Your Turn. There are subtle keys throughout courtesy of Rob Crowell, and these become sole subtle accompaniment for the bulk of crooned lament Electric, before jaunty acoustic romp Miss K. brings things to a suitably upbeat and sleazy finale.

Deer Tick proffer a beguiling swagger and punk-like happiness to subvert their own cause by fucking around, plus they have that slight whiff of danger which adds credence to their trashbag aesthetic – an unexpected new direction but one which suits them down to the gutter.