The Devil Makes Three’s latest album, Spirits, marks the trio’s first release since their 2018 album, Chains Are Broken. Formed in Santa Cruz, CA, in 2002, the band has grown, made minimal lineup changes, and continued blending blues, folk, and Americana with the rebellious spirit of punk rock. With an emphasis on meaningful lyrics and messages relevant to a world searching for answers, Spirits is an emotionally charged listen. The album embraces a more minimalistic approach, reminiscent of their earlier work.
Tackling themes such as a ravaged economy, the disappearing middle class – see track five, “Hard Times” – love and loss, and the act of “holding on,” frontman Pete Bernhard explains, “There’s a theme of ghosts and death running through this album.”
During the making of Spirits, Bernhard experienced the loss of his mother, brother, and best friend. He channels this grief throughout the album, notably on the upbeat country-folk song “Ghosts Are Weak,” where he attempts to stay “high enough to escape the pain and move through the mourning process.”
Spirits consists of a baker’s dozen worth of songs that take listeners through DM3’s journey of emotional turmoil, with a glimmer of hope.. delivering nonstop tunes that will likely have you tapping your toe to their sorrow.
Devil Makes Three is currently made up of Pete Bernhard (vocals, acoustic and electric guitar), who is joined by co-founder Cooper McBean (vocals, electric guitar, guitar, baritone guitar). The band’s latest addition, & longtime collaborator Morgan Eve Swain (vocals, upright bass, fiddle), has taken over for Lucia Turino. Stefan Amidon (drums, percussion, banjo, piano, vocals) also contributes when the need arises.
Despite the pain, Spirits is not a record that lingers in despair. There’s an undeniable thread of hope running through the darkness. The album’s gritty tales of loss are accompanied by moments of defiance, a refusal to be swallowed whole by grief.
– @meanwhile_in_music
