Album Preview: Elvis Perkins In Dearland - The Doomsday EP

The new record from Elvis Perkins In Dearland (their 2nd of '09) rambles over many regions of sound and has stuffed them all together in a hobo pack called The Doomsday EP. This soon to be released ep carries the grainy vocal tones like that of the great Leon Redbone mixed with such elements as mariachi/Balkan folk to old, negro spirituals to American rock & roll.

The horns on the opening “Doomsday” coax you into this record slowly at first, but really pick up and drive this almost-Balkan-folk dance tune with the arrival of the upright bass. A great beginning to the record, but then all energy comes crashing back down on “Gypsy Davy”, a minor-keyed ballad with a melody progression not unlike an old Irish jig. I didn’t really like this song at first, but it has continually drawn me in. It’s actually one of the best songs on The Doomsday EP.

“Stay Zombie Stay” has a vocal melody not unlike the classic “Deep In The Heart of Texas”, and has such a mellow guitar groove that I can’t help hitting repeat. Plus, anything about zombies is totes awes! The upbeat “Stop Drop Rock And Roll” is straight up classic rock & roll music with the slight echo of the vocals, the tinny crunch of the guitar tone and the trade-off bass solos. This song really lives up to its name… Hmmm… I wonder if Peggy Ann would wanna go to the malt shop after the dance and get a pop… With two straws? Oh boy!

Another cool element of this record is that there are two versions of the title track. The album ends with “Slow Doomsday”, which is pretty much the same as track 1, but obviously slower and more dramatic with subtle word changes for effect.

There is no reason to try and make this review up big, honestly. This is a very simple ep. There are no tricks or epic, mind-blowing choruses. It’s just a plain, soulful, folk rock record with damn good songs. Pick it up. It’s worth every penny.

The Doomsday EP hits stores 10/20/09. After gracing Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble on 10/31, Elvis Perkins In Dearland heads out on a US tour of the south and East Coast (including a Nov. 14 stop at the House of Blues here in town). Go see this band!

MP3: Elvis Perkins - Slow Doomsday

-Cory Coleman [c]