Alt country was born in 1990,
when the great Uncle Tupelo released their inaugural album, No Depression. Many argue that rock was first coupled with folk
long before this band took shape, but never before had the style worked so
cohesively. Critics and listeners were immediately drawn to the expansive
album; it was so influential that the first syndicated alternative country
magazine was given the name No Depression. The band broke up in ’94, and former members Jeff Tweedy and Jay
Farrar went on to front Wilco and Son Volt, respectively.
Elliott BROOD, a trio of
balladeers from the Great White North, has effectively channeled Uncle Tupelo’s
troubadour spirit since the group’s six-song debut release in 2004. Singer Mark
Sasso, guitarist Casey Laforet and percussionist Stephen Pinkin—who have played
together since high school—must have grown up listening to folksy fellow
Canadians like Neil Young and Ian Tyson. Their collective ear for acoustic
rhythm and simple melodies is magnified by their chosen recording
locations—which, in the past, have included a log cabin and an antiquated town
hall. Their instrumental selection is also quite eclectic—they’ve been known to
incorporate ukuleles and banjos on many occasions.
Which isn’t to say these boys
are just about peaceful landscapes and Depression-era caricatures. In fact,
they’re pretty morbid—they’ve even described their style as “death country.”
Past tracks have visited grim topics, such as the discovery of a friend’s
corpse (“The Body”), capital punishment (“Second Son”) and surviving a long
winter at a snowy Old West outpost (“31 Years”). “If I Get Old,” a track from Days
Into Years (which drops TODAY on
iTunes), is said to be inspired by the band’s visit to Étaples Military
Cemetery in France, which is home to many fallen Canadian WWI troops.
If you’re feelin’ folksy
tonight, Elliott BROOD is scheduled to play an 8 p.m. set at The Crocodile. This
21+ show will be opened by The Pack A.D. Tickets
($12.50 per person) are available online.
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