DIRTY HONEY: Can't Find The Brakes!! (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

In the space of two self-titled albums, Dirty Honey have established themselves as one of the most credible successor bands to the legends of classic rock. Although still in the shadow of Greta Van Fleet, the Los Angeles quartet nevertheless represent a perfect alternative for fans of the genre suffering from a certain intolerance of Josh Kiszka's vocal performances. While this characteristic of the Michigan gang seems to be the focus of criticism, the Californians are presented with the opportunity to establish themselves as their biggest competitor with their new record offering, once again produced by Nick DiDia.

The first change in the line-up is the departure of the talented Corey Coverstone, replaced by Jaydon Bean. While the quality and inventiveness of the rhythm section was one of Dirty Honey's strong points, this could be a cause for concern for some. The same goes for the length of the album, which this time stretches out over three quarters of an hour, whereas Marc LaBelle and John Notto's gang also drew their strength from the concentration of their words. But rest assured, these concerns are quickly swept away on the first listen to 'Can't Find The Brakes', which once again features a succession of compositions of formidable variety and effectiveness. We'll just note that there are three ballads this time round. Fortunately, their different approaches avoid a feeling of repetition. Whether it's the bluesy 'Roam' with its poignant solo, the delicate folk 'Coming Home (Ballad Of The Shire)' with its Led zeppelin-like touches or the bewitching mid-tempo 'You Make It All Right' with its Eagles' shadow hanging over it, each one is captivating and benefits from a moving interpretation by Marc LaBelle.

The singer is once again dazzling, and his complementarity with John Notto's guitar work is part of the hallmark of this band, which confirms its strong personality. As with their previous albums, the search for influences is unavoidable, but the strength of Dirty Honey lies in its ability to combine them to forge its own strong identity. Even rootier than its predecessors, 'Can't Find The Brakes' has also given pride of place to a groove that will knock your socks off. The best examples are the funky, hard-hitting single 'Won't Take Me Alive', the reptilian 'Dirty Mind' with its alternating tempi, and 'Satisfied', with its emanations worthy of Tesla and Aerosmith. The direct, hyper-efficient 'Ride On' reminds us that AC/DC are also part of the quartet's ancestry, while 'Rebel Son' closes the journey by opening up new horizons. Spanning almost seven minutes, this track builds in intensity and mastery, captivating listeners right up to the final explosion of instrumental cavalcade emblematic of the greatest monuments of Southern rock.

So here we have another confirmation of Dirty Honey's blinding talent, as they continue to grow in power and impose their classic rock, respectful of the legends of the genre but with a strong identity. But there's a danger that we'll soon run out of words to emphasise the importance this band will continue to play in the revival movement, of which they are now one of the most glittering flagships. This winter, "Can't Find The Brakes" is one of the best remedies for the cold and dreariness, and will ruthlessly chase away any risk of a in morale. - Official website

DIRTY HONEY

CAN'T FIND THE BRAKES!!

AUTRE LABEL

HARD ROCK