Dee Calhoun - From Under The Smogberry Tree

'From Under The Smogberry Tree' is Dee Calhoun's second EP and self-released at that. Inspired somewhat by the Dr. Demento Show these 6 new songs, which are seeped in humour, follow the path of that show narratively speaking perfectly. Dee has always had a sharp tongue and wit to match and this EP is no different, in fact I think he is more on point than ever. At the same time I can't recall the last time I laughed this hard listening to music. The lyrics are so funny yet poignant and I think this combination is what makes this release hit home so well.

 

Opener 'Taylor's On The NFL Today' is rather self-explanatory as Dee serenade those petite and fragile male Americans who couldn't watch NFL on TV when Miss Swift was in attendance because their frail minds thought she got too much attention. 'Bumpin' Uglies' follows and is a composition about how to easiest and quickest deflate and sink the growing numbers of rumour-mongers simply by saying: "sure thang, it's true". Wherever you live on the Western Hemisphere you are bound to have encountered the bicycling door-knocking young men attempting to sell you salvation and subsequently save....well, 'Off Is The Direction' "salutes" them!

 

'(She) Learned It From Watchin' A Porn' is brilliant and although the protagonist got better at sex by watching it online, the story applies to just about everything these days. Everyone is an expert because they learned it on the web. Visions of sitting a late-night campfire telling horror stories abound a plenty in 'The Legend Of Woke Dolly'. Inspired by the headless rider in Sleepy Hollow it is instead Woke Dolly riding around the woods scaring the life out of rednecks. The EP closes out with 'Under The Smogberry Tree' and it's a lovely, sweet and intoxicated ode to the love of drinking peach moonshine.

 

Dee has really struck gold with this release. He has never disappointed before, this time however everything has fallen into place so perfectly making 'From Under The Smogberry Tree' the brilliant EP it is. A plethora of instruments such as acoustic guitar, cigar box, shovel guitar, kazoo to mention a few has been utilized yet Dee has kept the music minimalistic but very focused. This has elevated the amazing lyrics, especially the humour and social commentary, to something else.

 

 - Swedebeast