On their third record are everyone’s favourite new supergroup finally finding their voice?
Even though its only three years or so since The Dead Daisies were first seen on these shores – opening for Black Star Riders – there is scarcely room to write down their history since then. Not only is this their third record, the personnel has changed to such a degree that probably not even they know who is in the band from one day to the next.
Presently – we think, although given that this record isn’t out until early August it might have all changed again – joining founder member David Lowy (and believe us the Australian is not your average rock star – look him up) are ex Motley Crue singer John Corabi, bass player Marco Mendoza (once of the aforementioned BSR of course), former Ozzy and Billy Idol man Brian Tichy and – crucially – replacing Richard Fortus on lead guitar this time is the brilliant Doug Aldrich, when he’s not busy with Whitesnake.
The cast keeps getting better, then (and the last line up wasn’t bad) and happily so does the music. Because make no mistake about it, “Make Some Noise” is the bands best album by quite some distance.
Their live shows have so far – arguably – at least – been better than the records, but not here, finally, they’ve made the type of balls-out unapologetic hard rock album that not only have they threatened to previously, but you always hoped they would.
And – this isn’t meant in any disparaging way whatsoever – they’ve done it being channelling the spirit of Aerosmith and more particularly Van Halen and making a testosterone fuelled, muscular rock n roll mini-classic.
It’s not that they’ve made anything ground-breaking here, and no one is saying they have, its more that “Long Way To Go” puts the world to rights, before “We All Fall Down” kicks back enjoys itself.
The rest of the 12 tracks here merrily follow its lead, “Song And A Prayer” with its piercing riff, soaring chorus and tales of small town America would, in some bygone age have been number one in about 30 countries and “Mainline” gleefully travels down the fast line at about a million miles an hour with the wind running through its hair.
There’s a knowing wink about “The Last Time I Saw The Sun” and if life on the road is distilled – as it has been so many times before – to “I’m a gypsy, I’m a lover/I’m an outlaw without a gun” then the other line about “whiskey and ginger/man, it’s my elixir/with a cigarette to pass the time” is proof positive that these boys don’t intend to grow old gracefully any time soon.
Absolutely at their best here, “Mine All Mine” swaggers, and “How Does It Feel” swaggers more sassily, “Freedom” is too busy rousing the rabble to swagger anywhere, “All The Same” is knowingly sleazy and cheerfully become “Black Betty” given half the chance.
“Join Together” The Who cover which acts the closing tune on a fine, fine collection is one of two songs here (the other being the title track) that are seemingly designed for playing live – a little throwaway perhaps, but when they are played in arenas with Kiss this summer its all bound to make more sense.
In between, there is a cover of “Fortunate Sun” – a song so good that no one can get it wrong. The calibre of musicians here were never going to miss such an open goal.
In many ways it’s the perfect cover for The Dead Daisies too. A band steeped in classic rock, but very much with a future, the difficult third album hurdle cleared with ease and by letting themselves go at last.
Rating 8.5/10
