Middle Brother

(Partisan)

Debuting at last year’s SXSW as MG&V, Middle Brother is basically a mini Monsters of Folk behind Deer Tick’s John McCauley, Dawes’ Taylor Goldsmith, and Delta Spirit’s Matthew Vasquez. While all three songwriters shine, the most compelling aspect of these recordings lies in the effectiveness of the shading that each adds to the others’ tunes, especially in how McCauley’s caustic growl gets softened by the smoother tenors of Goldsmith and Vasquez. Of those latter two, Vasquez’s “Theater” rings with a lustrous Gram Parsons feel, while Goldsmith strikes best with the pallor of “Blood and Guts.” Though there’s little feel of actual collaboration, the traded verses of closer “Million Dollar Bill” and the fantastically shaggy co-written romp of “Middle Brother” display the inherent affinity among the songwriters, as does the slightly rootsier-tinged take on the Replacements’ “Portland.” Even if nothing more becomes of the group, this album alone justifies the effort. (Sat., 5:25pm, Auditorium Shores Stage)

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This article appears in March 18 • 2011.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.