Derek Lee Goodreid’s guttural and gritty delivery on his latest release is a product of experience, which makes his lyrics and attitude on ‘Underdog’ punch much harder, and way closer to its target, making the song truly outstanding.
Based in the vast outback’s city of light Perth, Goodreid is a singer and songwriter who has gone open and honest in ‘Underdog’, his latest release. A piece of country music with anthemic leanings to folk, in the shape of its rundown sound and dusty soundscapes, ‘Underdog’ is an autobiography of sorts.
Championing his own cause, on ‘Underdog’, Derek Lee Goodreid recounts his rough experiences and deep-lying PTSD, not to the word, but to what they made of him… a flea-bitten, salty, and no-good underdog. But take no offense, because in the song, Goodreid also comes out on top. Having been kicked when he was down, kicked, and spat upon, he still never called it quits. He still has so much fight left in him, his bite is stronger than his bark, and will never sink. So, we can say that being an underdog ultimately worked in his favor.
‘Underdog’ is just as strong musically as it is lyrically. The simplistic composition is familiar and not challenging, leaving space for the impressionistic, beaten-down drum sounds, the tinny banjos, ripping lead guitar that abruptly pierces through the mix for a tiny solo, and the charismatic upright bass. The health sound of ‘Underdog’ is hearty and touching, and Goodreid’s vengeful vocal delivery sounds truly exhilarating.
With delicious production, done by Goodreid himself, ‘Underdog’ manages to sound unique. Sublimely filled with dirt and rust in all its elements, to a point that will make Tom Waits proud, this is a song with a distinct character and a high level of immersion that will take a moment to snap out of.
