Album Review: Deer Tick - ‘Coin-O-Matic’

Alternative/indie rock mainstays Deer Tick are back with their ninth studio album, Coin-O-Matic, which drops Friday on ATO! The group who hails from Providence, Rhode Island, developed this new one with their home state in mind. Coin-O-Matic, explores themes surrounding the histories of working-class families in the region and their dealings with organized crime. The album focuses on issues of grief, loss, redemption, and resilience. The band derived the title of the record from the name of a cigarette vending machine company, where notorious mobster Raymond Patriarca.

Coin-O-Matic, marks a first for the indie veterans, in that they self produced this release and recorded it in their home studio. Deer Tick is comprised of singer/guitarist John McCauley, guitarist/singer Ian O’Neil, drummer/singer Dennis Ryan, and bassist Christopher Ryan. On the task of self-producing the album, O’Neil said: “At first it was daunting not to have that extra ear in the studio, but it felt like the right time to peel off the Band-Aid and fully trust ourselves…Since we were working in our own space and there weren’t any limitations on time, we had the freedom to take these four-guys-in-a-room rock songs and experiment with different ways of decorating them.” via press release.

Coin-O-Matic, kicks things off with “Dog Years”, a track that starts acoustic, before dropping in some dynamic rhythm guitar and organ work. The solo that comes around the 3 minute mark on this one is great. Particularly when paired with the organ, which provides a warm base for the sound the band achieves. “Endless Loop” is another winner early on the record. The delicate leads establish an intriguing atmosphere and the percussion provides a solid base for everything else to work off of. The track also features some fantastic harmonies as well, slipping in and out of delicate falsettos.

“ACI” comes in around the mid-mark of Coin-O-Matic. The rhythm, piano, percussion, and vocal work evoke memories of Bruce Springsteen. On “Eyelid”, a track that comes at you quick, clocking in at 2:41, Deer Tick combine driving guitar work with a steady beat from the drums. Unapologetically, “Eyelid” is a rock track that you can easily see yourself dancing to, the melody is that infectious.

We can’t wrap up this discussion of Coin-O-Matic, without mentioning the album’s closing track “Candy Cigarettes”. The vocal work and understated guitar-driven melody pair together perfectly. Especially as the vocals soar, just in time for the guitars to meet it with some distortion, to kick the door in. Coming in at over 6 minutes, “Candy Cigarettes” doesn’t feel that long because Deet Tick hook you in with the movements between the subdued sounds on the verses and the blistering work on the hook.

Coin-O-Matic, is yet another strong entry into the discography of one the band. We love that they took the opportunity to tell stories of their home state with this one. On the prospect of making a record on the issues and history that have impacted the people of Rhode Island, McCauley stated “One of the reasons I wanted us to make this album is that I think Rhode Island deserves to be a contender for a place that people sing about,” via press release.

We agree, and Deer Tick are just the band to tell those stories. Through the combination of intricate storytelling and dynamic Sonic world building, the band has a real winner on their hands here. Additionally, it shows the band can still weave an intriguing tale and can grip the listener in the palm of their metaphorical hand. Deer Tick have been an institution in alt music since 2004 and Coin-O-Matic is just the latest example and testament to their staying power at the forefront of alt music.

Rating - 4.5/5

FMI on all things Deer Tick, visit their website.

Deer Tick will be supporting Coin-O-Matic with a tour that kicks off this month! Dates below:

Tour Dates

6/9 – Warsaw – Brooklyn, NY

6/10 – Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA

6/12 – The Atlantis – Washington, DC

6/13 – Thunderbird Music Hall – Pittsburgh, PA

6/14 – Ludlow Garage – Cincinnati, OH

6/16 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL

6/17 – Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN

6/19 – Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI

6/20 – El Club – Detroit, MI

6/21 – The Opera House – Toronto, ON

6/23 – Bearsville Theater – Woodstock, NY

6/25 – State Theatre – Portland, ME

6/26 – Royale – Boston, MA

6/27 – Higher Ground – Burlington, VT

9/24 – The Waiting Room Lounge – Omaha, NE

9/25 – recordBar – Kansas City, MO

9/26 – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO

9/27 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT

9/29 – The Elm – Bozeman, MT

9/30 – Shrine Social Club – Boise, ID

10/2 – Aladdin Theater – Portland, OR

10/3 – Neumos – Seattle, WA

10/4 – Hollywood Theatre – Vancouver, BC

10/6 – Harlow’s – Sacramento, CA

10/7 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA

10/9 – Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles, CA

10/10 – Constellation Room – Santa Ana, CA

10/13 – Belly Up Tavern – Solana Beach, CA

10/14 – Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ

10/16 – Scoot Inn – Austin, TX

10/17 – The Heights Theater – Houston, TX

10/18 – The Kessler Theater – Dallas, TX

11/5 – The Basement East – Nashville, TN

11/6 – Eulogy – Asheville, NC

11/7 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA

11/8 – Motorco Music Hall – Durham, NC

11/9 – Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC

11/11 – Revolution Live – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

11/13 – Bayboro Brewing Co. – St. Petersburg, FL

11/14 – The Social – Orlando, FL

11/15 – The Pour House – Charleston, SC

11/17 – The Broadberry – Richmond, VA

11/19 – House of Independents – Asbury Park, NJ

11/20 – Arrow at Archer Music Hall – Allentown, PA

11/21 – District Music Hall – Norwalk, CT