DIRTBAG REPUBLIC, the powerhouse rocking 5-piece known for their electrifying performances and infectious energy, is set to release their fourth studio album, “Bad Decisions“, showcasing the band’s evolution and musical prowess. What you’ll get is a non-stop barrage of hard rockin’ earworms.
Through its 11 face melting track list, “Bad Decisions” is simply one of the best sheer Rock and Roll albums we’ve heard this year – from songwriting to attitude this might just be Dirtbag Republic’s most complete album so far.
They hit the ground running with opener “I Don’t Care” – a snotty rant set over a boogie style refrain that leaves you in absolutely no doubt that this is a band that is completely refreshed and extremely lively after their three year hiatus. “Wait A Minute” carries on in a similar vein and is a rolling Diamond Dogs-like jaunt, before giving way to the gloriously cut glass vocal assault of the ’70s inspired “Bipolar Rollercoaster”. That track may give you slight cause for concern regarding Sandy Hazard’s throat welfare but is nevertheless an almost flawless fist pumping scowl; a comment that could easily also be applied to the defiant and vaguely threatening “I Fought Them All”.
Bad Decisions’ the title track is one of our favourites here, savvy and streetwise, a tale of unwise choices and glorious consequences. ‘Streetlight Parasite’ by way of contrast has a more Stones vibe channeled via the Bluesier end of the 80s Hollwood scene. It’s a damned catchy one and just the sort of track you can imagine rocking along to Jack in hand. Definitely a favourite amongst a strong set of contenders.
Deeper in ‘Hard in the City’ keeps that Bluesy vibe going and delivers another ace that’s sheer barroom rock and roll; and ‘Smotherin’ Me’ is lighter, airier, opened by a strummed acoustic. A great comedown song that cuts through the harder rockers, a tale of decline and the passing of time.
It all sets up nicely for ‘Cocaine Heart’ a midtempo sleazy masterpiece that really sums up why we love these guys so much and what real Rock and Roll should sound like. It’s raw, it’s dirty, it’s smoky, bluesy and from the heart.
That just leaves us with ‘Light Your Fuse’ the closing track that revs it up in style with a flurry of opening guitar and Punky ‘Foot to the floor’ attitude.
There are many bands that build a groove and put together songs that sound like they came from the glory years of dirty sleazy rock and roll, and so many have done that over the years, but so many of those bands have failed because they are only a pastiche – a thin veneer of sound without the soul or the depth of their heroes.
They lack the real dirt beneath the fingernails that those who truly understand it and truly believe in it can hope to understand. For these guys that fate seems inescapable.
Dirtbag Republic are one of those rare bands that completely understand the game and one of the very few that could have rubbed shoulders with those Rock and Roll greats on even terms.
If you like your guitars low slung and your sleazy with bags of attitude alongside memorably seedy songs, then this is definitely a must have for your collection. And even if that doesn’t quite float your boat; at a little over 35 minutes long, ”Bad Decisions” doesn’t outstay its welcome and will surely leave any discerning listener wanting so much more, because this is a very, very fine album indeed.
Highly Recommended
01. I Don’t Care
02. Wait A Minute
03. Bipolar Rollercoaster
04. I Fought Them All
05. Here I Am
06. Bad Decisions
07. Streetlight Parasite
08. Hard In The City
09. Smotherin’ Me
10. Cocaine Heart
11. Light Your Fuse
Sandy Hazard – vocals
Mick Wood – lead guitar
Mike Federici – guitar
Todd Stefanson – bass
Ed Nijjer – drums
DIRTBAG REPUBLIC – Bad Decisions (2024)
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