So i have here the second record by Dirty Tactics. I kinda forgot the review the first one, but i liked it, it was more standard rock band. Anyhow on the new record, it seems they found records by Superchunk and Les Savy Fav. I mean that in the best of ways. This record is a huge departure, it still sounds like the same band, but one who’s hit the road and started to figure out where they wanna go.
Perhaps the most pronounced changes are the bands new fascination with samples placed at the start of songs, both spoken word (ie: interview with the clash? at the start of the record), and far cleaner vocals. The band still plows onward with their guitars, but now Gary’s vocals are placed up front, and done with far more clarity than on their prior outings. Upon seeing them at Ronnie’s here in Chicago, i was highly pissed off at the sound guy for mixing the vocals almost right out. The other huge thing that’s changed is that Dirty Tactics can now write a song. Their first record, although good, lacked the song writing chops they now have, save for the song Philadelphia, which if anything was a precursor to this record. Adding to the vocal fidelity is Dan’s added role on back up vocals, or well more like a second singer. His voice adds a few more fun layers to the whole thing.
The songs are, as you can guess from the above comments, solid. In particular Track 2 is a stand out, and one I’ve been jamming rather often. Its a fantastic tune that really highlights the bands strengths, with its melting of Gary’s vocals and some serious riffage, matched with a progression that moves the song from fast to slow to explosive. Its a good representation of the record, as the band holds back, preferring to use that old 90s strategy of momentary bursts of energy and noise. Although live, its one big punk rock noise fest, and although I enjoy the record version of each song, live each one is played hard fast and loud.
I’m not sure what the final version of the record will sound like, the band is looking to get mastered right now, although personally it feels done me. As far as where their going, who knows. Times are tough these days, but this is a solid record, leaps and bounds above their prior work. I just hope next time i seem them, the sound guy wont suck, and no one pees on the wall.
Dirty Tactics: Untitled Second Record
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