DEHD: FLower of devotion album review
Flower of Devotion, DEHD
DEHD
Flower of Devotion
Fire Talk Records
Released July 17, 2020
The fans of DEHD had been awaiting this album since they played tracks from it at their Water record release show over a year ago at the Bottle. It was a bold move to stand up there and say we are playing a new song, no really, a new new song you won’t find on that brand new album at the merch table. They didn’t actually say that, but you get the idea. It is a tricky thing, at an album release the idea is to promote said album. But by giving us a taste of the new stuff, DEHD told us that they have much more in store, cementing confidence in a band that’s leading story at the time was the break-up theme of Water. Proving that this perfect triad is not so easily toppled. “Disappear” was one of my favorite songs that night, and continued to be a favorite at the other performances I saw since, including the Pitchfork anniversary party.
[all 📷 : Tina Mead]
Flower of Devotion came out on the very weekend DEHD should’ve been taking Union Park by storm. Hearing Jason Balla singing the refrain “Do you wanna disappear with me?” over Eric McGrady’s bouncing beat was like meeting back up with an old friend. “Letter” has been etched into my brain since the stunning music video came out in October of 2019. When “No Time” came spinning through my headphones I couldn’t help but shimmy to Kempf stuttering and shouting, “You only want me when you’re sad, I have no t-t-t-t-time for it.” I could almost picture the band moving and stomping in my living room. It is perfectly, viscerally DEHD. The groove is the establishing shot of “Flood.” It echoes up from songs of ballads past as the jangly guitar chases that retro feeling as it reverberates through the mix. Kempf draws on her seemingly endless array of vocalizations for “Loner” (another killer music video alert!) Not just a squeak or a hitch or a yodel, but also something almost like hiccupping. “I’ve gotta, I’ve gotta, I’ve gotta, have fun, have fun, have fun” Extolling the virtues:“To be a loner.” Balla comes in, questioning the loner’s choices, “Won’t stop, won’t draw the line” Kempf responds with a refrain, “I’m fine.”
We hear a completely new voice on “Apart” Crowd Surfer staff sent a flurry of texts when we heard it. It must be the usually silent drummer, McGrady, taking a turn at the mic. Kempf’s lyric “Time is on my side” was sung out in bitter defiance on the previous album, this one takes a less nuanced look at what time really has in store for us: grey hair, lost memories, and failing bodies. It is a grim message that matches the vocals deep gravelly tone perfectly, and contrasts to the bounce and jangle of the music. As we get that last clear refrain, “I feel myself falling apart,” they reach out and grab my throat.
It is good to hear this band growing and maturing and taking chances like a new voice. These recordings are also showing that DEHD can take it up a notch, adding effects and layers that expand on their sound while staying intensely true to their lo-fi surfer grooves. When so many of the songs are familiar to their local fans, it is refreshing to get to hear them in this new light. To get to listen to them over and over is a pure joy. Song after song brings a pop worthy hook that feels so sweet in your ear, while the delivery often brings the balance of sour that can only be the DEHD sound. Making me gobble up track after track until it is over and I can't help but wonder when we will get to hear their next new new new song?