DIRTBAG REPUBLIC
"Tear Down Your Idols" (Vanity
Music Group; 2021)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
To be honest, I wasn't impressed with Dirtbag Republic's "Tear Down Your Idols" the first time I listened to it. I thought it was just okay. I mean, it kept my attention as I was driving home for work that afternoon, but it didn't light any fires for me, you know what I mean?
But I gotta tell ya, I've listened to it a couple of times more recently, while sitting at my desk here at Rough Edge Studios and actually paying closer attention to it, and hot damn if this stuff hasn't got into my blood.
"Tear Down Your Idols" is lively hard rock with a ragged punk edge and an energy that's undeniable. I think that's what brought me around here: the band's energy. These guy rock hard on "Tear Down Your Idols." Guitars rage, bass throbs, drums pound and the vocals have a tone to them that almost forces you to listen. You can feel that they fucking love what they're doing and they really want you to like it, too. The lyrics are worth paying attention to as well: Many of them are infectious anthems that just get your rock'n'roll blood pounding, and that would be enough. But there's something else at work here. Sometimes, the lyrics are almost a little melancholy. In some songs, it's like Dirtbag Republic is lamenting the decline of rock'n'roll and are begging you to join them in keeping it alive.
Well, as long as Dirtbag Republic keep up the level of energy that permeates "Tear Down Your Idols," I think rock'n'roll is gonna be okay.
For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/dirtbagrepublic.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2022 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
