Rough Edge: Dirty Looks CD Reviews

DIRTY LOOKS

"California Free Ride" (Perris Records; 2008)

Well now, I guess if you want a CD that doesn’t put you to sleep then I recommend Dirty Looks' “California Free Ride.”

Upon first cue you might just think that a spaceship disguised as a 90s party bus willingly returned some lost rockers back to earth and the good news is they haven’t changed a bit. AC/DC, Buckcherry and Rhino Bucket would all get a nod from these guys if the Imitation Tour were to roll into your town.

The music is down and dirty, just the way I like it. The vocals got on my nerves a little but the bluesy and blasting guitar makes up for that minor part. Those who love Bang Tango and their alter ego Beautiful Creatures will no doubt find this disc to their liking. It's pretty much straight forward rock'n'roll, direct and to the point. The guitar is always going and this disc is a reminder of how party rock'n'roll used to be played. It’s got energy and a swagger that exuded confidence more from their backstage mayhem than their music. It was a nice trip down memory lane.

Music today keeps changing and certain styles just don’t have the same following they did a few years ago. The good, or bad, thing about Dirty Looks is that they haven’t changed at all. The discs that they have released since re-joining the human race in 2000 have all delivered the same. Fans that have waited will be pleased but people who missed them the first time around might not feel the same.

For more information check out http://www.myspace.com/dirtylooksmusic.

"Gasoline" (Perris Records; 2007)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

Dirty Looks' "Gasoline" is raw, raunchy rock'n'roll, and it's called sleaze rock for a reason. It sounds a lot like AC/DC if they'd grown up on the Sunset Strip instead of the Land Down Under, with rough guitar, pounding rhythms and a vocalist who sounds like a cross between Bon Scott and Joan Jett.

Dirty Looks has been around forever (well, since 1985) and fans of their previous CDs will probably like this one just as well. "Gasoline" isn't as slickly produced as the band's previous material and those familiar with that earlier material will know that those albums weren't exactly known for their crisp sound quality. Still, it does fit the project, even if it sometimes seems a little too raw.

The best tracks here are the raucous "Over Me" and the bonus tracks, "New White Naked" and "Trick of the Moon," both of which sound rather different than the rest of the CD.

Performing on "Gasoline" are: Henrick Ostergaard - Lead Vocals, Guitars; Trevor Huster - Guitars, Bass; Mike Ohm - Guitars; Ron Suton - Drums; Doug Welser - Drums; Steve McConnell - Drums (tracks 01-05); Paul Lidel - Guitars (tracks 11 & 12); Jason McMaster - Bass (tracks 11 & 12); Bruce Rivers - Drums (tracks 11 & 12).

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/dirtylooksmusic.

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.

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