Dirty Rainbow – Death I Was Sure of It / 2005 Self / http://www.dirtyrainbow.com / Reviewed 26 March 2006
Dirty Rainbow has a sixties sound to it that is only matched by current bands like Temper Temper; the influences are all checked and worthy (there is more than a minor hint of The Doors during “Tied Up”), while the act has the interesting ability to create a meandering track with a focused goal. This supposed paradox is not so; the controlled chaos of many acts is a suitable comparison to what greets listeners during “Death I Was Sure Of It”. While the compositions on the disc may seem too pensive for listeners’ tastes, the fact is that what Dirty Rainbow does is an act.
The band is in reality confident of their compositions, and this does not verge into arrogance because the songs really are that impressive. The music that hits listeners during “Death I Was Sure of It” is exactly of the same caliber as the stuff currently being played on classic rock radio. While there is a heavily psychedelic sound to tracks on the disc, there are similarities between Dirty Rainbow’s music and that of the more experimental Pink Floyd. Songs are repetitive only to the point that they drive the point home; Dirty Rainbow has more than enough tricks in their bag to ensure repeat listening. The style of music that Dirty Rainbow plays does not have much in common with what is currently being released on rock radio, but Dirty Rainbow plays their style of music so well that individuals will like the band all the same. All tracks on “Death I Was Sure of It” contain a dedication to a free spirit that is not often heard in current music.
The tracks use a different mix of influences for each go around; Dirty Rainbow is strongest because of the fact that they do not allow the influences to dictate the track. Rather, the bands that influence Dirty Rainbow are quite like seasonings to Dirty Rainbow’s meat. While most bands need a connection to more current music to succeed in the current music market, Dirty Rainbow is talented enough to pull listeners kicking and screaming back to the sixties/seventies framework in which they work. Here’s to hoping that the band can continue with their distinct and fun retro stylings, and gain a little more notoriety for themselves in the years to follow. Without much to hold them back, Dirty Rainbow can only succeed from here on out.
Top Tracks: Hey, RSA
Rating: 6.0/10
[JMcQ]