The Golden Dregs

Benjamin Woods, the man behind The Golden Dregs, brings a lot of throwback qualities to the table with his brooding and slightly country-tinged ballads. He sings in a whiskey-battered baritone whose volume does not rise much above the other instruments in the mix. His vocals are dry (think a young Leonard Cohen), has qualities reminiscent of Matt Johnson of The The (see Mind Bomb), and gives off flashes of Lloyd Cole when he perks up a little. The band built around him keeps the music grounded and plays in a straightforward style that borrows a bit from country and folk. The songs come with clear grooves, strong tunes, and some emotional heft, without necessarily feeling bitter or sad, nor particularly sweet or happy. They are textured and weathered, and not entirely unlike the marvelous voice of the singer himself.