Building on the surprising debut that was 2007's War Elephant, Deer Tick, a.k.a. John McCauley's follow-up Born on Flag Day is a more tightly put together set of Countrified Rock that should bring about a heap of notoriety for the 23 year old youngster.

When listening to McCauley's grizzled old-timey voice, you wouldn't guess that you're listening to someone that hasn't been out of high school for too long. Sounding somewhat similar to a mix of Steve Earle and a couple of John's (Hiatt and Prine to be exact) McCauley isn't so much resurrecting an older sound as he is bringing it to an entirely new generation. Highlights of Born on Flag Day include "Little White Lies," a tune that starts out as twangy Country tune until it reaches the half way point and then it becomes an up-tempo Country-Rock tune that sounds like something the Meat Puppets would have crafted back in mid 80's. "Smith Hill," in which McCauley's voice is surrounded by a swell of string arrangements during the sweeping chorus is probably the most beautiful track of the bunch standing out from the rest of the pack, even though said pack is pretty wonderful to begin with. A talent that is certainly on the rise, John McCauley's Deer Tick won't be on the fringe for too long I'm sure. Those that enjoyed Fleet Foxes and Blitzen Trapper's albums last year would be wise to quickly pick this one up.