Peasant "On the Ground"- -Album Review

Pennsylvania's Damien DeRose records under the name Peasant, and his sparse, guitar-driven tunes certainly hearken back to simpler days. You can almost see the Peasant caressing his guitar, wearing a shabby little suit, and perhaps holding out a worn hat for tips. Much like this antuiquated image, te songs on Peasant's second album, On the Ground, are appealing but innocuous. Peasant sings sweetly and strums some enchanting tunes, but ultimately doesn't create anything particularly remarkable. Sometimes, though, you just want a good song that doesn't challenge you too much--and on this level, Peasant delivers.

Pros

Cons

We’re not sure if Peasant or Damien DeRose is a more precious name. Either way, the Pennsylvania native creates some pretty precious tunes, mostly laid-back and low-key affairs focusing on just his voice and his guitar. While he’s earned comparisons to Elliott Smith, Smith’s slightly harder, somewhat more melodic, and far more drug-addled style doesn’t have much in common with Peasant’s more earnest tunes. A comparison with Bon Iver might be a bit more apt. The songs of On the Ground feature just Damien DeRose’s guitar and voice, sometimes overlaid with a few other effects in production, but rarely accompanied by drums or other instruments. The result is in keeping with the peasant aesthetic, but sometimes too spare, and ultimately not quite enough to carry an album. Each individual song is enjoyable, but listening to the whole record can be a bit of a drag--though it can be a wonderful way to lull oneself to sleep. Confronting emotional issues with restrained mastery, Peasant’s simple songs sound as though they could have come from either decades ago or decades to come. There will always be a place for gorgeous—if borderline mopey—songs about self and feelings, and Peasant’s contributions occupy a solid space in this gentle genre. While not necessarily revolutionary, the songs are both emotionally and aesthetically appealing, and overwhelmingly pleasant to listen to. It’s odd to feel good after listening to sad songs, but that’s the overall effect of Peasant’s work. This album's definitely worth a listen, particularly if you're feeling slightly sad or adrift. The record won't necessarily get you back on track, but it'll make you feel better about wandering, peasant-like, through this world.