War Elephant (Reis)

Deer Tick | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Partisan Records
• ASIN: B001H7F5AU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,748 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #27 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Lo-Fi
  • #44 in Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk > Alternative Folk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great work of art, February 5, 2009

By 

L. Gavin (Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: War Elephant (Reis) (Audio CD)

This album didn't grab hold of me first listen, but once it did, it still won't let go. Each song on this genre-defying work of art is incredibly catchy, meaningful, and musically delightful. Listening to it makes you feel like life is a lot simpler than we make it sometimes. It reminds me of sort of folk/southern rock/homestyle music, but it isn't exactly like any of those. It is just rocknroll. This is now one of my all-time favorite albums and I think I will still be listening to it in 10, 20, or more years. If you enjoy music, buy this album.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Check yourself for ticks, January 1, 2008

By 

M. Swinney "Marc My Words" (Flower Mound, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: War Elephant (Audio CD)

OK...it's been too long since I've done this reviewing thing. Amazon even has video reviews, what are they going to think up next? And you can sample and download amazing new music like Deer Tick. So this isn't a review on Amazon is it? It's supposed to be a review on Deer Tick. Let's make it so then.

Deer Tick, who are they and why do have this ridicuously hayseed name? Deer Tick is basically one guy, John McAuley, his musical vision and a few accompanying musicians. But what a musical vision it is. McAuley graduated High School in 2004 which makes him what...about 22 or 23. The music reaches beyond that age. His voice has this worn gravelly quality which he uses to great affect. McAuley hails from Providence Rhode Island and is ready to break upon the world. He is a do it yourself Kurt Cobain, a little bit of Neil Young, some alt country mixed in, and all in all the complete musical package. He knows his way around a song. The jangly street music, "These Old Shoes," will get your toes a' tappin' and the lyrics get you laughing, "It was a no-go, for this hobo." "Art isn't real (City of Sin)," has this 70's AM radio pop folk quality to it. And then there's "Christ Jesus," "I woke up next to the King / Got up and gone fixed me something / And it made me sick how I can't trust him / Christ Jesus / Have you seen us / Down on our hands and our knees / and Tell us what's the Reason." Granted it's not your standard gospel number, but it has human suffering and the depth of the human experience in spades.

People here in 2008 decry the fall of the musical industry but I think with the accessibility of downloads and new artist like Deer Tick, it has never been better for the listener, for the music fan. I was surprised there wasn't quite a few reviews on here for Deer Tick's "War Elephant," given the strength, undeniable catchiness, and depth of this music but here it is an apparent new discovery. Discover Deer Tick, you won't regret it in this New Year. Cheers all...MMW

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spare and Melodic 3-Minute Gems, June 27, 2009

By 

J. Novak (Palatine, IL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: War Elephant (MP3 Download)

If you believe in old souls, then John McAuley, who was 21 when he recorded this album, must be one or else he's lived more in that short time than I care to imagine. Most of the songs clock in at less than 3 minutes but they develop an emotional resonance from longing, to regret, to a hopeful persistence, all without a single note wasted. My favorites are "Art Isn't Real," "Diamond Rings 2007," and especially "These Old Shoes" about the different means of transportation he'll take to see his girl, ending in, you guessed it, his old shoes. The entire album will stick with you after just a couple listens, but I wouldn't call it country even though that's how it showed up on my IPod. Maybe lo-fi, Americana, or alternative better fits the bill for this great band.