I first saw Deer Tick (aka Ixodes scapularis) open for Philly’s own Dr. Dog a few weeks back at the 9:30 Club in DC. They were one of those rare opening acts whose style and sound pull you in immediately. There was nothing glamorous about these guys visually. A couple of gawky dudes in flannel shirts, vintage tees and the occasional pair of 80′s era sunglasses. Heck, even the band’s name Deer Tick is a pretty lackluster title. But that’s the great thing about musicians, real musicians anyway – the looks, the label, even the shades (Sorry ZZ Top), they don’t really matter. It’s all about the music. And on that note these southern rockers, from Rhode Island, come through with flying colors.

The first thing you’ll notice about a Deer Tick album is lead singer John McCauley’s froggy voice. It’s gravelly nature grounds the band’s earthy shade of country/folk/grunge rock giving them an even more unpretentious quality. Just pick any genre synonymous with mud and mosquitoes and that’s probably Deer Tick. Black Dirt Sessions is a record that takes itself pretty serious but never seems to strike a nerve. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not but I’ll take it. Piano-heavy ballads such as “Goodybe, Dear Friend” and “Christ Jesus” (a re-recording of a song on their first album) are certainly the most sobering moments on the album yet I’m afraid they lack the depth and craft to really haunt you. They have touching moments but there’s something missing beneath McCauley’s passionate vocals. Good for me though, the bulk of the album is straight-up southern rock n roll with clean riffs, catchy beats and blues-esque lyrics. “Mange” is a rock’em sock’em barn-burner of rock n roll tune and the band”s pre-released single “Twenty Miles” is quickly becoming one of my favorite tunes of 2010. Black Dirt Sessions is an easily accessible rock n roll record with a spirited soul. While it’s not an album that will change your world it will give you some new perspective.

If you’re looking for more examples of the band’s “less is more” attitude, check out their website, straight outta’ 1995, or catch them live on tour here.