|
Having recruited a new tub-thumper, three former
members of metallers The Workhorse Movement have burst out of
Detroit with all guns blazing, having crafted 13
catchy tunes that ooze psychedelic '70s groove.
Although the intro to opener No Rest sounds
distinctly like a Datsuns / Jet
hybrid, for the rest of their baker's dozen, these Dirty
Americans sound unbelievably different to the plethora
of retro-revival bands currently tussling for exposure
in the NME.
Sure, there are influences a-plenty ranging
from some very Dave Wyndorf-y vocals to straight up Led Zeppelin riffs on some of the grooves, but just
when you think you've got them pinned they flip you
something unexpected. Whilst not they have not
redefined rock or pushed the barrier of creative
genius, they have written some ruddy good songs.
There are pumping drum tracks, and riffs that
would eat Busted for breakfast, but the real
question is are the unwashed yanks anything to shout
about, or have they merely found an way to rip-off
their favourite bands and get paid in the process?
Well on their behalf, I shall scream, yell, and
generally make a fuss in an agitated fashion; for the
Dirty Americans are a breath of fresh air to a rock
scene that struggles with a severe identity crisis,
not to mention the absurd lack of control. In a genre
which allows more than five people to take the
poodle-permed disaster that is Nickleback
seriously, whilst letting The Strokes release
the same song again and again and again, the arrival
of a credible, straight up truly classic rock band is
so much more than refreshing - it's like a newborn's
first gasping breath after release from gestation.
The stoner influences ring out on most tracks,
with the brilliant Time In Space forcing me to check
if Monster Magnet's Mr Wyndorf himself was guesting on vocals and Way to
Go owing its existence to modern era Queens Of The Stone Age.
Meanwhile, Burn You Down simply has to be a Fu Manchu B-side, with The Doors making a
cameo appearance for the chorus. Harking back to a
more classic era, title track and lead single Strange
Generation is The Who for the 21st Century,
and Deep End the obvious ballad follow-up.
Over all this is the perfect album to remind you
that winter's over, summer's comin', and that
ultimately life ain't all bad, which is nice to hear
from musicians who've toured with Slipknot amongst
others.
So, if you're one of the many London Underground commuters
who need a smile on those wet April mornings, (and you ain't gonna get it listening to
Travis!), you could do a lot worse than the feel
good grooves of Dirty Americans; in fact, I defy you
to find a better aural "pick-me-up" this side of 1969.
Comments
|
 |
| 
more 