The second album from Richard Davies’ latest venture picks up exactly where the first left off — with class, heart, and an uncompromising sense of authenticity.
From the opening strains, you might think you’re listening to some lost gem from a revered Americana troubadour, or even a cut from Springsteen himself. But this is Davies through and through — a man who’s always had this music in his bones. The harmonica that adorns “Keep Your Fires Burning” isn’t just for show; it’s a love letter to the genre.
But there’s more than just rootsy warmth here. Richard Davies has always had a punk rock heart, and “Soldier Of Fortune” beats with it proudly. The guitar solo feels like it’s being played by a bloke with his strap slung to his knees — the way real rockers do it.
That said, there’s a tender side too. The cover of The Divinyls’ “Human On The Inside” is as mellow as it is gorgeous — full of shimmering harmonies and soul. He makes it his own.
None of this should surprise anyone who’s been paying attention. Davies has long been an acclaimed figure — not least on these pages. His previous band The Snakes were superb (even if it was the praise from Bob Harris that probably meant more than ours).
“Born To Drown” has a definite Johnny Thunders vibe, and when he sings of being “an actor in a film that’ll never be written,” you can’t help but feel he’s reminding himself just how far he’s come.
There’s an indie flavour to “Lead Me Out Of The Wilderness” (unsurprising, given his band before The Snakes once toured with Ride), and Davies’ guitar work is sharp throughout — especially on the raucous, full-blooded take on “Lover Of The Bayou.”
Of the eight originals, “Age Of The Blade” gets MV bonus points for bringing glorious Dogs D’Amour swagger and a Hammond organ into the same space. “Suburbia” has a touch of Ian Hunter, while “Higher Stations” chugs along with style, topped off by a sublime guitar solo.
And maybe it’s the closing track that sums it all up. “Let’s Live For Today” urges us not to worry about tomorrow — and maybe that’s the best advice of all.
Davies is also guitarist for MV fave Marc Valentine, and like Valentine, there’s a timeless class to everything he touches. But mainstream success remains elusive — perhaps because they’re too good to chase it.
Maybe it is just about the music. And if so, then High Times And Misdemeanours does exactly what it was supposed to do.
Whichever way you view it, it’s another wonderful half an hour from Richard Davies And The Dissidents.
ONES WE MISSED: RICHARD DAVIES AND THE DISSIDENTS – HIGH TIMES AND MISDEMEANOURS (2025)
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