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Description
**Negativity** stands as Deer Tick's fifth album, a 2013 offering that crystallizes what makes Providence, Rhode Island's indie rock ensemble so difficult to pin down: a band that refuses to settle into any single genre, preferring instead to straddle the fence between heartland rock and alternative country with equal confidence. Recorded in Portland, Oregon, under the supervision of *Los Lobos'* Steve Berlin-a collaboration that signals the band's growing ambition and willingness to work with seasoned professionals-the LP carries the weight of McCauley's personal struggles during its 2012 conception. The resulting music is both personal and universal, channeling the band's hard-drinking but sensitive DNA into songs that manage to be both intimate and expansive.
The title *Negativity* speaks to the shadowy undertones running through the record, yet the band manages to extract beauty from these darker places without wallowing. The album's first Canadian release on Arts & Crafts marks an important moment in the band's career trajectory, suggesting growing international ambitions. Vocally, John J. McCauley flexes his roots, while Ian Patrick O'Neil and Dennis Michael Ryan (on some tracks) provide texture and depth to what could otherwise feel like a purely frontman-driven record. Special guest appearances from Vanessa Carlton on "In Our Time" add a moment of cinematic shimmer that few indie records attempt.
Critically, the album received favorable reception. Reviews called it "a wonderfully satisfying collection of songs," with Rolling Stone noting McCauley's ability to "flex their roots" while avoiding the trap of mere nostalgia. For a vinyl collector, *Negativity* represents a pivotal moment in Deer Tick's catalog-a work that acknowledges their past while confidently marching toward something new. The 48-minute runtime allows each track to breathe, and the 12-song sequence feels meticulously curated rather than haphazardly assembled. For fans of Americana who appreciate albums that lean into emotional complexity without pretension, this is essential listening.
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