Divine Providence is Deer Tick’s follow-up to last year’s disappointing The Black Dirt Sessions. I liked their sound, especially the raspy vocals, on 2009’s Born on Flag Day, but things have changed. For one thing, the vocals have dispensed with some of their rustic charm in favor of a hearty dose of testosterone. The music has also veered toward simplicity. Deer Tick were never a complex band and they never had any need to be, but this album is full of generally-weak melodies. If the lyrics and vocalist had some charm or some respectable personality, this wouldn’t be as much of a problem. “Funny Word” is a clear example of rock ‘n’ roll at its worst: a boring melody on repeat for almost five minutes, dumb lyrics with a silly refrain (“love is such a funny word”), and production that crushes everything down to a weak mash-up of rock instruments without any muscle behind them. “Let’s All Go To The Bar” is the sort of song that The Ramones or Misfits might have been able to inject some personality into, but Deer Tick make it sound simple-minded. “Miss K.” could have been written by any (mainstream) country music “rebel.” Where this album isn’t a “rock ‘n’ roll” cliche superimposed over country music 101, it’s mediocre balladry (“Electric” is a mellow musing on chemical indulgence). Production hurts this album, but its ethos really kills it. Deer Tick used to play gritty southern rock with a dash of outlaw country. Since then, they’re proving that though music doesn’t have to be intelligent, it helps if it isn’t stupid or obnoxious. If Divine Providence was a person, it would be an obnoxious frat boy spewing semi-offensive “wisdom” with beer on his breath.
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