CD Review - Dead Confederates

The original Pitt News page.

Wrecking Ball destroys rock

"Commitment is not a requirement for rocking out these days, at least not for Dead Confederate.

What started out as a “sometime thing” — a band creating music influenced by Pink Floyd and Nirvana — became a sensation when the group won an Annual Open Mic Madness competition in 2006.

With a sound that is unique to them, the unknown band members moved on from gigs and an EP to a 10-track record titled Wrecking Ball.

How no one has heard this sound yet is a mystery, considering just how dominant the alternative and classic rock sound is.

“The Rat,” the band’s newest featured song, starts off: “Shoot from the back / And take good aim / Make sure I’m dead.”

And on it goes from there. If you’re looking for a good song about liars and betrayers, with the hard backdrop to go with the drama, search no more.

“Yer Circus” makes a reference to a retreat from battle, and for certain songs Dead Confederate even keeps a drum beat that almost sounds like that of a Civil War drummer. Deliberate effects and allusions to the band’s name, maybe? But no worries: Dead Confederate sounds contemporary more often than not.

I mean, how often do you get to hear a song titled “All The Angels” that starts off with an intro that’s nothing short of trippy?

And right after that, “Start Me Laughing” starts off with a screaming metal feel. Dead Confederate definitely keeps the songs varied and neat; you’re never sure what they’ll decide to throw to the listeners next.

But even Dead Confederate has its soft side. “It Was A Rose” reveals a whole other side of its composition skills, as singer Hardy Morris cries, “This sweet encounter / Is it a flower / Is it pretty / Is it a rose?”

The singer declares, “I was crazy / And in love, too.” We have the classic mistake of love even among the hardcore sounds of the band.

We also have the classic broken man image in the last song with the same name as the album, when the focus is on a man. And apparently, “God knows he’s seen it all / Been hit by a wrecking ball.”

Now, we know the album is complete: Love and broken figures are the requirements for any good rock-oriented album.

The only downside is that lyric fans might have a hard time translating Morris’ throaty voice through the churning drums and growling guitars.

Still, the music is worth the sound, and it gives the songs a mysterious feeling all around. As a Rolling Stone “Artist to Watch” band, Dead Confederate has more to look forward to than the wrecking ball."