DUST FOR LIFE
"Dust
For Life" (Wind-Up; 2000)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
Dust For Life take their shot at being the next Alice In Chains. "Step Into The Light" and "Lifelike" borrow some riffs from Jerry Cantrell to make the distinction evident.
Despite some line-up changes early on, DFL have banded together to give you a CD that will surprise you because little is known about these guys. Signed to Wind-Up records, who cuddle Creed and others who sound similar, Dust For Life have done a memorable job at honoring their
heroes. It all sounds pretty good. And who doesn't miss the sound of Alice In Chains?
Hailing from Memphis, DFL slap you with a mix of heavy metal and alternative. The guitars are sawed on for the entire disc, the drums pound like an angry bill collector
at your door, the vocals can be sung along with. Chris Gavin has a vocal style that
is welcome to the ears. "Dust for Life" is one of those CDs that doesn't deserve any "Dust" on it.
You should play it a lot.
Having the moxie to execute the sound of so many other bands like Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath and Stone Temple Pilots, DFL takes that talent and does them all justice.
Track 7, "I Don't Mind," starts with a nasty little riff and flows into a pure AIC song. You've heard the saying that imitation is the sincerest form of
flattery. You're not getting just a tribute here, but rather a hard rock CD that will wake the neighbors.
The two tracks that close this CD out have an acoustic Southern feel, a bit of a departure from the rest of the disc,
but they nicely round out this band's debut.
The best songs on the self-titled album are "Dirt Into Dust," "Step Into The Light," and "Dragonfly." "Shadow Pool" has a tasty solo that deserves the rewind button.
Dust for Life: Chris Gavin - vocals & guitar; Jason Hughes - rhythm & lead guitar; David
Rhea - bass guitar; Rick Shelton - drums, percussion, background vocals & piano.
For more information, check out www.dustforlifemusic.com.
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 © 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 04 Mar 2024 13:27:28 -0500.
