Dead Confederate's Wrecking Ball sounds like Bleach-era Nirvana covering My
Morning Jacket. (That's a good thing.) The Georgia band stirred up some buzz in
January with its self-titled EP, a strained, aching redefinition of roots-rock
that hinted at something bigger and better. Consider Wrecking Ball the fulfillment of that
promise: Howling with impassioned anger about various bleak, gloomy subjects,
Hardy Morris masters a musical tension that's reminiscent of Kurt Cobain
(especially on the pounding "Goner" and frantic "Start Me Laughing"), with
undeniably catchy riffs surging through his band's noise. And while the
psychedelic, echoing alt-country guitar should appeal to early MMJ fans, Dead
Confederate is considerably more baleful and abrasive. Unfortunately, the
band's neo-psych edge means that it takes liberties with song lengths; the two
shortest tracks are the album's best, and while there's a good interplay of
energy and mood on the longer tracks, they aren't as memorable. Ultimately,
though, Dead Confederate's alt-country/grunge hybrid doesn't just feel like a
compelling debut, it feels like a compelling new genre.