Delta Fuse is a band name that is certainly fitting for the band’s music: self-described as “cut-throat Brothel Blues Rock soaked in soul and hints of the psychedelic 60s”, I find that their sound encompasses several styles and offsprings of the blues. At times, there is a beautiful, simmering blues; other times, there is hard rock exhibited freely. Moments like this are what their debut album A Matter of Love and War is built upon.
The band is based in Donegal in the Republic of Ireland, and they have previously made an impact on stages like The Rory Gallagher Festival (Donegal), The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival (Lancashire), The Troubadour (London), and more.
My first impression of the album came in the form of two singles: “Letter on the Table'' and “Teardrops in Spain”. I believe that these two singles were great choices to release ahead of the album as the songs are similar enough but also exhibit two main themes from the album.
“Letter on the Table” is an introduction to the band’s hard blues-rock side. Now, this is something that first hooked me to the band’s sound, and I am delighted to say that the album starts off with the same sort of sound. The opening track “Bloodhound” is very much a blues-based piece of music. The track has been played across a couple of radio stations in the UK, and when you give it a listen, you can tell why. It is great, catchy blues-rock with some roots influence. This sort of sound was exhibited in “Letter on the Table” as well, but “Bloodhound” sets the stage for A Matter of Love and War by giving just a hint of what is to come.
Much of the album shows that the band is not afraid to flutter across different genres. While the trunk genre is still the blues, the branches that sprout offward make for an interesting listen.
One branch is composed of a softer blues-rock that flirts with soul. The second track “Wandering Soul” is indeed a soulful song. It is not as hard-rock driven as their songs like “Bloodhound” and “Letter on the Table” are, but it is nice to hear a softer side of the band as this is where there is a more emotional side of music.
“Teardrops in Spain” is another emotional song. Released as the second single, it was what really sold the album for me before it was released. This song is one of those that is instantly captivating. The guitar sizzles across the track, and the vocals are tinged with emotion. It is wonderful to have good-sounding blues music that still knows what is important: emotion.
When music has emotion behind it and you can hear it, it just adds so much to the sound. And it is not really something you can fake either. What comes out, what the audience hears - when it is emotional, you can hear it, you can feel it. And the blues is a great vessel for this sort of thing.
The title track “Love And War” is similar to the softer emotional sound of “Wandering Soul”. The lyrics to both songs are awesome. “Love And War” is a longer track at just over six minutes, but it is a great exhibition of slow blues that is packed with a great amount of soul. The drums on this track, in particular, are great and nearly take you by surprise because it is a subtle sort of great: one that you may not notice initially but once you do notice it, it is difficult to overlook as it is just so good - the sort of thing like Mick Jagger’s backing vocals on the second chorus of Carly Simon’s song “You’re So Vain''. Once you notice it, you will not overlook it again, and rightfully so as it goes to show how great each musician in the band is.
I read somewhere once that what really makes or breaks a song is the bass. And, perhaps, strangely enough, the bass on these songs does add to the emotional side. Songs like “Lovers Tiff” that you find later on the album are epic as they exhibit several bass-lines without holding back. The drums on this song are awesome, again in a subtle sort of way where it is not flashy but what you hear is what is needed: a strong support and foundation.
And if the foundation to a blues song isn’t strong and stable, then do you even have a blues song?
Thankfully, Delta Fuse does not have that problem, and their foundation is great. Delta Fuse knows that the beauty of the blues is often found in the subtleness. Yes, there are some very epic harder rock songs on this album: “Oh Sally” is a fun, danceable song that has fantastic vocals and lyrics. “Why’d You Leave” is another song that is found later on the album. The band certainly does have the strength of writing a hard-rocking blues song, but I find again that the side of the band that I keep returning to is the emotional parts you find on songs like the closing track “I Hope God”. The vocals all throughout the album are so fitting and wonderful for this style of music, but I am particularly fond of the ones on “I Hope God” as emotion pours from the words.
Still, it does no good to compare the different sides of the band as it would be foolish as you can find it all on the album. The singles that were released before are a great introduction to the band, but when you hear them in context of the album, it just takes the music to a new level. The band’s flirtations with different genres include, of course, the blues but also hard rock and roots music where the music is stripped back and emotion pours freely. So, if you are found of the blues, let Delta Fuse tell you the tale of A Matter of Love and War. It doesn’t matter if you like the harder rock side more or the softer emotional side. You will find both here, so dig in and hopefully we will be hearing more of Delta Fuse soon as what they have released already is rather addicting and great to return to again and again when you are in a mood for blues.
The album can be purchased/downloaded at Bandcamp and is available on iTunes, YouTube and Spotify:
Personnel:
Ben Graham - bass
Sandy Aicken - drums
Jack McHale - guitar, vocals, banjo, harmonica
Peadar - Fiddle and organ