The Dirty Truckers are one of those bands.
That is to say The Dirty Truckers are one of those bands who, every time this website feels like a second job and you feel like packing it in just so you can listen to Thin Lizzy or The Hold Steady [insert band name here of your choice] or pour over Bob Dylan lyrics like you used to, that re-enforce why you do this every night.
Moreover, they are exactly the sort of band that you wouldn’t have heard, most probably, without doing this and because you do this, you feel like telling the world about how good they are.
Which brings us to “Three Shots”. A sort of stop-gap ahead of a new record. Two of the tracks I’ve heard before and adored, but the other one, man alive! Tom Baker and his boys are good. Punk attitude straight from the heartland, low-slung guitars, a pinch of Jesse Malin, its all here on “Remember One” and you best not forget it.
And since I am here, I will tell you yet again that “Turn Your Head Around” is just wonderful too. Acoustic tinges, but with a real eye on rock n roll story telling. A bit of John Fogarty here, a touch of the Stones there, but all topped off with a power pop harmony. It’s as good now as when it was on “Dirty Snakes”, Baker’s solo record a couple of years back.
The best one, though – and you could put this on just about any EP and it would be the best one – is the glorious “Feedback”. Last year it was on the Truckers release “Second Dose”, and when it was I wrote this: “There is no way to resist the chorus that is known to man.” They’ve jabbed me for covid three times since and there’s still no protection. This is what rock n roll should be, but so seldom is.
Because Lou from Rum Bar records is ace, he’s giving you these tracks for free this Christmas. Go and get them. It’ll be the best present you get. Then buy their other albums, because The Dirty Truckers need you and they need your love.
Rating 9/10
