Derek Hoke “Bring The Flood” (Independent 2017)

Derek Hoke is a singer-songwriter based in East Nashville but this is not a straightforward Nashville album. A commentary on the dark times he feels are engulfing the States, it was nurtured from fleeting thoughts recorded with a tape-recorder whilst driving at night on the Tenessee blacktop to full album status with the assistance of several friends including the likes of Aaron Lee Tasjan to name but one.

A vague country rock feel permeates the disc but their are some quite gorgeous moments that grab the listener. The strings on ‘I’m Just A Man’ are delicious and really heighten its dense hothouse feel. ‘Destination Unknown’ has some lovely organ supporting the vocals and colouring in the corners of a mournful keening lyric, the title track has some needle sharp lead guitar ‘Right Kind of Woman’ nods to both Dylan and Chris Isaak.

An earworm is the Motown/Stax inspired ‘So Tired’, again with insistent organ reminding of The Staples Singers and the chorus adding to the sense of place and time. A great little tune with another sparkling guitar break.

A grower of an album as Hoke’s often reverb-soaked guitar gets into the head. Certainly worth investigating.

8/10
8/10

Summary

Dark visions of a country descending into madness with some great tunes too!

About Keith Hargreaves 429 Articles
Riding the one eyed horse into dead town the scales fell from his eyes. Music was the only true god at once profane and divine The dust blew through his mind as he considered the offering... And then he scored it out of ten and waited for the world to wake up
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