I wasn’t sure what to make of Duke Skookum before listening to “Last Winter” and “Mystery.” With the Duke Nukem reference of questionable relevance, would these be raunchy, foul-mouthed, butt-rock anthems? The number of posts on the Duke Skookum Facebook page concerning aliens led to more questions than answers….
It turns out Duke Skookum is a surprisingly eclectic four-piece country/folk band. While technically New Brunswick-based, members Erik and Lars Petersen live in Ontario and Duke Skookum recorded these songs remotely in the comfort of their own homes.
“Last Winter” is a beautifully tender ballad that wouldn’t sound out of place on Neil Young’s After the Goldrush or Harvest. Over haunting pedal steel guitar laid down by guest Dillon Anthony (Kill Chicago) and sparse percussion, vocalist and writer Erik Petersen reflects on missed opportunities to spend time with a recently deceased loved one, slurring his words as he sings: “Hallelujah when his life fades/ Song goes out to a friend that I’ve made.”
Duke Skookum live up to their claim of “Original music and tales of the unknown” on ‘Mystery.” Vocalist and writer Josh Sangster compares the mysteries of the world to his wonderment at how he and his lover came to find each other. Sangster namedrops the Mothman, Jersey Devil, and the Native American thunderbird while also ruminating on existential classics like what happens before birth and after death.
Instrumentally, “Mystery” vaguely resembles Ok Computer-era Radiohead with arpeggios and sustained electric guitar. The electric guitar is distorted, pitch-shifted and has no attack which makes it sound more like a wacky, weird synth than wood and wires.
I think I now know who is responsible for sharing the cryptozoological posts on the Duke Skookum Facebook page.
After being unsure what to expect, I was pleasantly surprised by Duke Skookum’s new songs and the improved songwriting when compared to their previous singles. After repeated listens I have to reference Fox Mulder’s iconic poster: “I WANT TO BELIEVE.”