DIRTY AMERICANS - Strange Generation

Posted: 6/5/05

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: 70s Hard Rock/Classic Rock

Released: 3/22/05

Label URL: www.liquorandpokermusic.com

Artist URL: www.dirtyamericans.com

1/2

This album has been out for almost three months in the US, and I haven't heard any songs from it on the radio, nor have I seen the video for the title track on MTV, MTV2 or VH-1. Now, you may be saying, "So, what Dirt! Thousands of bands don't get airplay."  While that's certainly true, there's been such a buzz on these guys since this platter came out in Europe and Japan in March 2004 on Roadrunner Records, I thought some major US outlet would make the smart move and play the dang record.  Ah, the good ol' USA.

Let me get things started by saying Dirty Americans are a true-blue rock n' roll band.  There's no bullshit, just guys with talent, real songwriting, and variety of tunes that can attract the fans of classic rock and 70s Hard Rock.  If bands like Jet have gained a large mainstream audience, there's plenty of people out there that will love Dirty Americans.  Furthermore, if you like the retro sound and more rockin' Lenny Kravitz material, you'll dig these guys.

Strange Generation's foundation is a thick, fuzz-based, wall of sound, but you can hear every instrument.  Thumping basslines.  Hard-hitting drums in a 70s tradition.  Fuzzy, riff oriented guitars.  Plus the most important ingredient, a really good mid-range, melodic vocalist, whose swagger comes through in his voice.  Oh the guys that should be given credit are vocalist Myron, guitarist Jeff Piper, bassist Pete Bever and drummer Jeremiah Pilbeam.  They're from Detroit.

There really isn't a bad track on Strange Generation.  It contains a solid, cohesive set of songs.  Certainly there are some tracks that are just plain awesome, like the head bobbing opener "No Rest" (with its refrained fuzzy riff that sticks in your head for days) and the smooth, sing-along choruses of the title track and "Burn You Down." Instrumentally, all these songs just rawk!

The Bloody Truth: Liquor and Poker is a great label.  They are signing real rock n' roll bands with energy and attitude.  Dirty Americans are a prime example of what the label is supporting.  If you're into pure, no-frills hard rock in the tradition of the 70s, download some song samples at the band's website.  While there's a lot of crap out there these days, this band truly deserve some major attention.  The scene will be a better place with them on MTV and rock radio.