Six [VINYL]

Bass Drum of Death is getting back to basics. From the bare-bones title of their sixth record-SIX-to the writing approach-their first two LPs were recorded entirely on GarageBand-the creative process for the group is strikingly similar to the early stages of their career. While the new album marks a return to their original recording method, there are a few notable changes. Instead of working solo on the demos, frontman John Barrett and the band (Jim Barrett, guitar; Ian Kirkpatrick, drums) convened for several sessions in Barretts home studio in Nashville to bring the songs to life. Manning the faders was producer Jeremy Ferguson (Cage the Elephant, White Reaper), who then hosted the band for ten snowy days of fine tuning at his Battle Tapes studio. The result is a scuzzy blast of their signature sound, with influences ranging from The Stooges to ZZ Top and very much aided by Fergusons deft engineering touch. If SIX sounds like a return to form, the band proves they still have a few tricks up their sleeve. Hailing from Oxford, Mississippi, Bass Drum of Death initially started out in 2007 as the one-man-band solo project of John Barrett, releasing the Stain Stick Skin EP on Fat Possum in 2008. Their debut album, "GB City" followed in 2011. Barrett also began touring, working with a varied lineup of musicians for live performances. Moving to Innovative Leisure for both a self-titled sophomore LP in 2013 and "Rip This" in 2014 (produced by Unknown Mortal Orchestras Jacob Portrait), the band continued touring North America, Europe, and Australia including lengthy support slots for Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Royal Blood. The band returned in 2018 with "Just Business", released on Century Media, and by 2020, Barrett had put together a new lineup, collaborating with his younger brother, guitarist Jim Barrett, and drummer Ian Kirkpatrick. The trio then released the 7" single "Too Cold to Hold/Wait" in 2020 and "You Were Right", a collaboration single with Eve 6 in 2021. The band then spent much of the COVID lockdown working on new material, culminating in 2023 when they reunited with Fat Possum and delivered the groups fifth full-length, "Say I Won't", produced by Patrick Carney of the Black Keys. The group released a live LP titled "Live...and Let Die" in June of 2024, and release their 6th studio album, SIX, this September.