Shaun Corley | Staff Writer

1/25/02

I’m always on the prowl for new music to listen to. Since I don’t watch eMpTyV anymore, and local radio blows unless you’re into bubblegum pop or 70’s stoner music, I have to rely on other methods to discover new music, namely word of mouth. So one night I’m scouring the official Athenaeum message boards, and I hear talk of a band called Dezeray’s Hammer, and how if you’re a fan of Athenaeum, then you’ll like them. So I thought, “what the hey?” and picked up their debut album, Immune.

The group hails from the fertile Carolina music scene, that has produced other boo-tay kicking acts such as Athenaeum, Hootie and the Blowfish, Far Too Jones, justincase, The Connells, and Ben Folds, among others. Much like their contemporaries, Dezeray’s Hammer write perfect guitar pop-rock songs in the vein of Better Than Ezra and Toad the Wet Sprocket.

Immune kicks off with “What I Think,” a perfect song to open an album with. Other key tracks include “She Levels Me,” “Praying,” “Notice” and “I’m Not Coming Down.” Dezeray’s Hammer does remind me a lot of Athenaeum, in a good way: straight up, no frills guitar pop with a tight rhythm section, and a good, consistent, hopeful vibe.

Dezeray’s Hammer is currently on Neutron Records, a small indie label. So unless you live in the South, this album maybe a bit hard to come by. Hop over to the band’s website for ordering info and samples. You won’t be sorry you did.