By: Liz Levine
Rating: 9/11

The Dead River Company are a rascally group of musicians who seem to be playing solely for the sake of having a dang good time, hootin’ and hollerin’ through their down-home folk tunes with the energy of school children and a back-porch-collective rapport. Their ragtime, jug band sound is accomplished with a number of not so common instruments: Raccoon J’s mandolin strums dreamily while wacky country instruments like Vilda Chaya’s washboard and Rebecca Murder’s banjolele bring a ramblin’ authenticity. The atypical rhythm section completes the mix and cements their DIY sensibilities, with the flurried clickings of tap shoes and a cajone player (whose moniker says it all: Wranglin' Janglin' Manglin' Pedro) in place of drums. The hilarious “Growing A Moustache” highlights Mudsy J’s raucous, anything goes vocals as he describes his new facial hair as “a world class lady-killing nonstop handlebar,” and feels delightfully homemade. Most of their songs begin with the random sounds of people in the recording room, with much giggling and banter, and the group is known for their surprise subway performances. All involved are clearly there to enjoy one another and have fun, and the tracks tend to wander off into moments of hootenanny jam rather than stick to strict structures. The Dear River Company seems more like a close group of friends than a “band” band, an element that benefits their porch aesthetic while not detracting from their clever lyrics and infectious energy.