« Dirtcake »
Unsigned/Independent
2013
Forming in 2006, Montreal’s DIRTCAKE have released their first debut self-titled album, Dirtcake and unlike « playing it safe » international successes, Arcade Fire or Sam Roberts, the foursome put the attitude BACK in hard rock! Oozing an almost « L.A. sunset strip » swagger, DIRTCAKE is a band that inject a sense of bravado that has been sorely lacking in « commercial » Rock music for a while now. Poised to make an impact, the self titled album launches with « In Writing« , a song that certainly wastes no time in firmly making a statement of intent. Hard hitting with crunchy riffs, the song’s venom is punctuated by Jason Mateus’s hoarse, shouted vocals and driving drums! Together with, « Brass Knuckles« , « Bridget in Mono » and « Drive« , gritty, blues-inspired bar rock is the order of the day and can readily be on the same playlists of VELVET REVOLVER, SLASH or LOADED fans!
Though the album is perfect to bang your head to or enjoy cruising down the highway with the top down, « Aka No Joo » showcases a slightly mellower side and « quirky » rhythm before the angst returns in the chorus, while « Dirty Blues » is just that – « dirty »! Slow and deliberate, the song epitomizes sleaze and sexual charm without being overt. For an unsigned debut album, Montreal’s hard hitting, DIRTCAKE check all the right boxes in commercial viability while still maintaining a backbone worthy of the sun-soaked scene debauchery of L.A.’s giants! Though, the formula of their song craft isn’t new, sometimes the music climate needs to be reminded of a « classic sound ». So, while hipsters are enjoying the « niceties » of Indy Pop/Rock, it’ll be up to DIRTCAKE and others of their ilk to inject some sorely missing « danger » back into Rock ‘n Roll!!!
Standout Tracks: In Writing, Brass Knuckles, Dirty Blues, Magnum
8.5/10
Chris
