Dead Meadow - Old Growth (2008)

Dead Meadow - Old Growth (2008)

If I were to use a sports analogy to describe Dead Meadow, I'd say that they're like the Tim Duncan of modern rock. That is to say -- for the benefit of those who care less about sports or the NBA in particular -- Dead Meadow are one of the most consistent and reliable bands in modern rock. All of their efforts up to this point have been at least solid if not exceptional. There was very little doubt in my mind that Old Growth would continue to adhere to that consistency, and I was delighted, though not surprised, to find a strong set of new material presented here.

The repetitive seven minute stoner anthems of their past albums are even further behind them now, as Old Growth picks up where Feathers left off and finds the band trying to perfect the art of the four minute song. While at first it seems like the band are too eager to get things over with, the songs start to feel just right with repeated listens. The back to back to back to back combination of "Down Here" through "Seven Seers" is one of the best groups of songs that we're likely to experience all year. The mood of the album is decidedly more down home and folky than past efforts, which the band actually executes well even though I've always been a fan of their repetitive, droning, psychedelic wall of sound.

All in all, it's a good record that's not immediately impressive but ultimately rewarding over time. I guess they call these types of albums growers. The irony of this description and the album title should not be lost on anyone.

Score: 7.5/10


"I'm Gone"


"Seven Seers"