Project Description
THE DELTA RIGGS
‘Modern Pressure’
Album Review by Josh Pike
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Melbourne indie rockers Delta Riggs are back again with their 4th album Modern Pressure. This 12 track offering sees the boys (Elliott Hammond, Michael Tramonte, Alex Markwell, and Jesse J Pattinson) continue to develop their distinctive Riggs sound, but tackling darker, and more emotionally complex themes in their lyrics. It feels as if a lot of self reflection from lived experiences and modern pressures has been put into this album.
Opening with Bright as the Sun, a straight up punch to your face, burst of kinetic energy. It is a definite wake up call, a jam piece that immediately hits the chorus and grooves along with a stream of consciousness, squawking rant. Pushing itself along “Bright as the sun, fast as the day” it comes to an abrupt end but leaves us ready for more.
Don’t you frown has a more folky sound is a fully realised examination of personal relationships and the angst of not being around whether it be from distance or death. It could come from the perspective of a touring band being away from loved ones, but also the concern of how those loved ones would carry on if they were no longer around at all. It’s about maturing as an individual, growing up and growing away from family. Though rather than being about separation anxiety and remorse, it ends up being a reassuring, upbeat and positive statement. “Don’t you frown, just cause I’m not around”. After listening to the album several times this track has been the standout for me and I found I had quite an emotional response to it.
Following up are tracks; Fake That and Friendly Fire. Both of these rock along and are two strong songs that would be great to see performed live. Having previously had the pleasure of seeing Delta Riggs at Mountain Sounds and Groovin the Moo I really loved their live performances. Hammond at the helm has an amazing on stage presence. while listening I can close my eyes and see his on stage swagger, howling to the funky grooves and bass line.
Tracks Reality and title track Modern Pressure continue to delve into the deeper, darker themes of dealing with lifes problems and troubled relationships. Modern Pressure builds up beautifully from a slow piano intro into a jangly rollicking track. “I took my wings off cause they didnt fit”, is a heartfelt lyric about expectations put on us and how we might not live up to them.
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I think it would be a bit lazy to list and compare the stylings & influences other artists might have on the sound of Delta Riggs and they are not afraid to pay homage to their heroes, my ears immediately pricked up to the intro of Push $ Pull. I really love how the band sounds on this one, it has a strong TReX 20th Century Boy vibe, but then turns into something much more stripped back yet joyful, and has an awesome riff that had me jumping around the lounge room.
Tracks Out of Place, Toms Song (a tribute to the late Tom Petty) and Settle Down continue the album, they are a bit more relaxed in feel but don’t let up on the Riggs funky soundscapes, and finally we get a bit of harmonica work thrown in too.
Sunshine Dancing brings the beat back up, it has a fast funky fun vibe, and makes good use of Hammonds raspy vocals. Its another track to get up and dance to, and I think would have been the perfect high to finish the album on.
Which brings us to the final track, it is a reprise of Bright as the Sun, and it’s a slow jangly reworking titled Fast as the Day. It is a bookend that really brings the mood down, especially after the super upbeat previous track Sunshine Dancing. The Riggs have decided that rather than a scream out, railing against the Modern Pressures of life, the album finishes as a muted echo of the first track.
Modern Pressure feels like a bit of a shift from their previous releases, not so much toward modernity but maturity. The sound is definite Riggs but sprinkled with lyrics of real life hardships. The album is a sincere reflection of lived experiences like familial relationships, conversations with loved ones and random people met along the way. It is a solid album filled with little gems that will only add to their strong repertoire of their live performances. Overall I really liked Modern Pressure, it can be enjoyed if you are after something a bit deeper or just want to dance round the house. I cant wait to catch them playing some of these new songs live this summer and will be keeping an eye out for them.
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STREAM/BUY ‘MODERN PRESSURE’ HERE
Modern Pressure
Track Listing
Bright as the Sun
Dont You Frown
Fake That
Friendly Fire
Reality
Modern Pressure
Push $ Pull
Out of Place
Toms Song
Settle Down
Sunshine Dancing
Fast as the Day
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THE DELTA RIGGS
‘MODERN PRESSURE TOUR’
Thu 28th Nov – Lansdowne – Sydney
Fri 6th Dec – Stay Gold – Melbourne
Sat 7th Dec – Jive Bar – Adelaide
Fri 13th Dec – The Northern – Byron Bay
Sat 14th Dec – The Foundry – Brisbane
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THE DELTA RIGGS
Appearing At…
Yours & Owls Festival
October 5th & 6th
Byron Bay Guitar Festival
October 12th
Queenscliff Music Festival
November 22nd – November 24th
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Follow THE DELTA RIGGS
Website Facebook Twitter Instagram
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