Deer Tick at The Loft

Although Providence, Rhode Island's Deer Tick are often labeled alt-country, there's more to John McCauley and crew than roots rock. 2011's Divine Providence showed a band moving away from folk and embracing punk rock and dissonance. Even the subject matter of the songs swung toward the dark side. One of...

By Darryl Smyers

April 26, 2012

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Although Providence, Rhode Island's Deer Tick are often labeled alt-country, there's more to John McCauley and crew than roots rock. 2011's Divine Providence showed a band moving away from folk and embracing punk rock and dissonance. Even the subject matter of the songs swung toward the dark side. One of the best tracks, "Clowning Around," concerns itself with the life of serial killer John Wayne Gacy: Not your typical alt-country subject matter. Throughout the album, McCauley wheezes his tortured tales like a bum asking for a handout. Locals Telegraph Canyon and Nashville's Turbo Fruits open.

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