Dubbed a “hybrid of rock and northern soul”, San Diego rock n rollers, Delta Spirit, have just released their sophomore album, History From Below, on Rounder Records. The band formed in 2005 after bassist Jon Jameson, drummer Brandon Young and guitarist Sean Walker discovered lead singer/guitarist Matt Vasquez busking on a city bench at 2AM. They’ve been crooning ever since.

Recorded in a converted barn in Northern California, History From Below is a true mixture of Americana mythos covering rock, rhythm and blues, folk, country and soul. Delta Spirit is part of an emerging Americana movement in modern rock alongside such acts as Josh Ritter, Cold War Kids and Deer Tick fusing simple melodies with deep messages. (Lead singer Matt Vasquez has recently joined forces with Deer Tick’s John McCauley and Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith to create a super-folk super-group known as MG&V.) With passionate songs full of regret and hope, you can’t help but feel inspired after listening to this album, akin to a moving sermon. To call it a gospel album wouldn’t be fair though as Vasquez isn’t preaching to the masses so much as telling stories of grace. Yeah, it’s a little sappy at times but if you’re willing to let it ride and stop being so damn cynical you will find the music truly resonates with you. “Bushwick Blues”, the track that has been bouncing around on the internet for the past year, is a driving rocker that fires on all cylinders. It’s the closest song to the band’s last album as History From Below is less about rock n roll tunes than well-paced storytelling. “Ballad of Vitality” is the final track and the most rewarding song even if it is 8 minutes long. Ho-hum hymns like “Golden State” and “Scarecrow” don’t exactly do it for me but the album has a nice variety in pace and tone giving it a calming style separate from its predecessor. All in all, this is a good album for those interested in digging deeper – both on a personal level and in the growing folk/americana genre.

Click here for more info on the band and catch them on tour this summer.

Delta Spirit – “Vivian” from DUKE STREET on Vimeo.