For a moment, I thought Deer Tick was doing more with its new EP, More Fuel for the Fire, than offering a stop-gap between albums. After opener "La La La" faded out on iTunes (the only way to get the EP at the moment), a slinky guitar came in and the rhythm section sounded like something out of an early Santana track. What was this? Then came the vocals, which found John J. McCauley sounding like... Captain Beefheart? OK, so I unknowingly had the thing set on shuffle, and it was indeed Beefheart's "Low Yo Yo Stuff" cranking through the speakers.

Thing is, this didn't seem outside the realm of possibility. I guess I'll just have to give it a few years. For now, Deer Tick, while capable of more, is content to have fun and offer up bar band delights with a ragged smile. I'm willing to wait. The band's Born on Flag Day promises to show well on next week's Top CDs of 2009 list (watch for it Dec. 9), and its live show is the best thing I've seen in a long while (I'm already looking forward to an April date here in Iowa City).

So, what do we have here? Two long-time live staples in the trifle "La La La" and "Dance of Love," a slight song sung by guitarist Andrew Tobiassen. Both are fine, but nothing special. The third track is the keeper, "Axe is Forever." Sounding like an early Creedence Clearwater Revival, the band offers a swampy boogie that seems to be an homage to Axe Body Spray (JJM, correct me if I'm wrong).

The EP closes with a live version of "Straight into a Storm" from Born on Flag Day. It's a rollicking rendition, though inessential given how much live material is available from the band (including a run through that track on the band's Daytrotter session).

So, yes, this is a stop-gap with no signs of artistic growth, and that's fine. But there will come a day where McCauley and Co. will surprise listeners, as they have the ability, should they choose to embrace it, to make Beefheart seem like a peer, if not an early influence left on the side.

Labels: Deer Tick, EPs, music