ACL Fest Friday Reviews
By Jim Caligiuri, Fri., Sept. 26, 2008
Delta Spirit
Ode to Sunshine (Rounder)The summer of indie-folk is in full bloom on Delta Spirit's first LP. Self-released late last year and reissued here with an added track for new label Rounder, Ode to Sunshine lives up to its title. Formed in 2005 after the dissolution of emo outfit Noise Ratchet, featuring bassist Jon Jameson and drummer Brandon Young, this San Diego outfit came together with Matthew Vasquez's distinguished voice cutting through the group's cluttered folk-rock. Taking cues from Rubber Soul-era Beatles and the drive and strum of the Waterboys, the young quintet comes across as a like-minded member of a club that includes Spoon and Marah yet has enough zip to stand apart. The piano-driven "Trashcan," bright and jovial "House Built for Two," and wobbly waltz of the title track accent Ode to Sunshine's 11 tunes, making it a pleasing debut from a band that should have an interesting future. (4pm, Austin Ventures stage.)
