The Delta Riggs call their music “Zig Zag”, eclectically mixing UK and AU influences to construct a fresh sound.

The Delta Riggs
The Delta Riggs. Photo: Fiona Garden

In a day and age where music finds itself congested in terms of volume and sonic content, The Delta Riggs inhabit a unique place in Australian music. Their low-definition psychedelic rock contains genre-spanning influences decades apart from one another, sliding between high, long 80’s vocals that are almost glam-rocky to downtempo 2000’s sounds that are reminiscent of early Green Day.

As musicians though, they defy comparison. With the release of their second album Dipz Zebazios we see a distinct sonic shift in their style and focus. My understanding of this album will be elucidated through a look at the singles; Supersonic Casualties and The Record’s Flawed.

Supersonic Casualties has a great classic rock vibe with psychedelic tones overlaid. The song feels like a Kaiser Chiefs track with this great grimy Aussie overlay and distinctive psychedelic tones. Lyrically, the song is energetic, jumping from theme to theme. Key to their lyricism though is the notion of juxtaposition and confusion.

“We were marching around

In our marmalade shoes

And the peppermint rain

Washed all our troubles and blues”

Through this complex, UK style chorus apparent psychedelic reference is made while a strange clarity persists in the singer’s voice, as though the intensely personal metaphor here is to be shared.

As a cohesive unit, perhaps the most impressive thing about The Delta Riggs is their energy. Each song is imbued with this frantic, cohesive, vibrant feeling which permeates regardless of the tempo of an individual song. The Record’s Flawed opens with a zany, off the wall guitar rift before the song turns into an Australian take on Brit Indie, the kind of track that makes everyone dance like nobody’s watching. The initial repetition of “The Record’s Flawed” leads into an interesting switch between unusual key themes; Clothing, Psychedelia, Nature and the good times.

Ultimately, my investigation of The Delta Riggs has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience; this band, who were unknown to me, are quickly becoming a part of my repertoire. Their lo-fi high intensity music is quintessentially Australian while maintaining fantastic influences from groups so varied they defy collection. I find myself looking forward to any work post Dipz Zebadios, but until then, I’m going to get to know their album intensely.

You can catch The Delta Riggs:
Friday 1st May – The Metro Theatre – http://bit.ly/1wYEsrr
Friday 8th May – The Brightside – http://bit.ly/1DnMTiy

※ Chauncey Phillips
*Chauncey Phillips is the pseudonym of all guest reviewers. This weeks was Jesse Forde.

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