THE DEADLY SNAKES
ODE TO JOY
IN THE RED
No cheeky garage rock imitation here, the vocals often border on gospel
chants. Raw and gritty, the Deadly Snakes manage something not quite
achieved on their Love Undone LP, that is, songs that are as gut-
wrenching and credible in their desperation as they are joyfully catchy in all
their soulful chaos. The songwriting sometimes reminds me of the street
level Violent Femmes, if they were drunken pirates singing sea chanties on
a deserted island.
This is a pretty big band and these are big songs. Swirling pianos and
organs collide with warm horns, chiming 60s guitars and galloping traps. It’s
truly a thing to behold. The organ sounds more Woodward Avenue
(Detroit) Baptist church than 96 Tears. I say hallelujah, let us praise The
Deadly Snakes who know what to do with inspiration and passion. The
Deadly Snakes, who have the objectivity and intellect to yank the best roots
influences out of the crisp Toronto air, and the power to divine Ode To Joy,
my pick for best rock ‘n’ soul record of the year 2003.
Craig Campbell
Drastic Plastic Press
ODE TO JOY
IN THE RED
No cheeky garage rock imitation here, the vocals often border on gospel
chants. Raw and gritty, the Deadly Snakes manage something not quite
achieved on their Love Undone LP, that is, songs that are as gut-
wrenching and credible in their desperation as they are joyfully catchy in all
their soulful chaos. The songwriting sometimes reminds me of the street
level Violent Femmes, if they were drunken pirates singing sea chanties on
a deserted island.
This is a pretty big band and these are big songs. Swirling pianos and
organs collide with warm horns, chiming 60s guitars and galloping traps. It’s
truly a thing to behold. The organ sounds more Woodward Avenue
(Detroit) Baptist church than 96 Tears. I say hallelujah, let us praise The
Deadly Snakes who know what to do with inspiration and passion. The
Deadly Snakes, who have the objectivity and intellect to yank the best roots
influences out of the crisp Toronto air, and the power to divine Ode To Joy,
my pick for best rock ‘n’ soul record of the year 2003.
Craig Campbell
Drastic Plastic Press
