Dead Confederate: Sugar

There is nothing sweet about Sugar, the second studio album by Dead Confederate. The Georgian band have retained some of the big sound of their breakthrough album Wrecking Ball, but have opted for "quiet as the new loud" for most of the songs. Opener In The Dark sets the tone for another exploration of the band's demons and fears. Vocalist Hardy Morris uses the power of drummer Jason Scarboro to jump at the deep end, but there is room for breather tracks like the Beatlesque Run From The Gun and the dreamy by Design, with Ben Wigler on cello. J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr) gladly accepted the invitation to play guitar on Giving It All Away.

Dead Confederate have added a spicey Southern sauce to their post-grunge sound. Check out Mob Scene and Semi-Thought for the best results. If they keep it up, the next album by fellow dark rockers My Morning Jacket will be likened to their music, and not the other way round.

Dead Confederate:
Hardy Morris: vocals, guitar
Brantley Senn: bass
Walker Howle: guitar
John Watkins: keyboards
Jason Scarboro: drums

Sugar is released on TAO Records. Release date: August 24.

Tracks:

1. In the Dark
2. Run From the Gun (w/ Ben Wigler)
3. Father Figure
4. Quiet Kid
5. By Design
6. Mob Scene
7. Semi-Thought
8. Giving It All Away (w/ J Mascis)
9. Sugar
10. Shocked to Realize

Live dates:

• 08/28 Austin, TX @ The Mohawk @ KUT's Red River on the Rocks Festival
• 08/29 Dallas, TX @ The Loft (w/ Futurebirds)
• 09/01 Aspen, CO @ Belly Up w/ Futurebirds
• 09/02 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge (w/ Futurebirds)
• 09/03 Boise, ID @ Neurolux w/ Futurebirds
• 09/05 Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot After Party at Hard Rock
• 09/06 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (w/ Alberta Cross)
• 09/08 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall (w/ Alberta Cross)
• 09/09 Santa Barbara, CA @ SoHo (w/ Alberta Cross)
• 09/10 Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar
• 09/11 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour (w/ Alberta Cross)
• 09/12 Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up (w/ Alberta Cross)
• 09/14 Tucson, AZ @ Plush (w/ Alberta Cross)
• 09/15 Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room (w/ Alberta Cross)
• 09/17 Telluride, CO @ Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

» deadconfederate.com
» myspace.com/deadconfederate

HCTF review of Wrecking Ball.