War Elephant LP

The War Elephant LP from Deer Tick bursts forth like a storm warning siren, a grey vinyl beacon for fans of gritty, raw alt rock. John McCauley III's theatrical songwriting at only 21 years old reveals a depth that belies his youth, with tracks like "Art Isn't Real" and a mesmerizing cover of "What Kind of Fool Am I" weaving together influences from the likes of Townes Van Zandt and Neil Young. This isn't just a debut; it's a clash of 90s gloomy anthems and honky-tonk heartache, grounding itself firmly in the spirit of both barroom rock and the tales spun in dim-lit dive bars.