“You keep trying to change me…You can’t accept the fact that I don’t like Caddyshack or ACDC”
Those carefully chosen film samples in the track intros aren’t any coincidence; the DF’s know what they are; they’re clichéd and hammy, not unlike the trashy horror films whose iconic images adorn the CDs delicious artwork. At a breakneck 26 minutes, if not paying close attention, you might just miss the fact that this debut is a great record.
Most tracks are in around 1-2 minutes long and combine driving bass with shouted vocals, an offbeat snare attack with the highly impressive lightning solos flashed before you. In ‘Nightmare’, one of the highlights, we are delivered all the right ingredients for a genuine mosh-pit anthem to end them all. And then we’re off again, picking ourselves off the floor for ‘Bear Mountain Road’, which positively chases you up a rocky cliffside wielding a chainsaw with bloody murder on its brain. By contrast, tracks ‘Rock Club’ and ‘Anthem’ show the somewhat innocent side of DF’s and evoke comparisons with feelings one might have had when enjoying clubs like The Limelight back when it wasn’t so mainstream. ‘Last House On The Left’ and ‘The Grudge’ both bring a splendid close to the very short LP, with more of a heavy, almost metal sound.
The downside of the release is the squeaky clean production. Calderwood at Manor Park produces some fine records with bands from the North who need a good polishing, but this often doesn’t bring the best out of the heavier bands who should be allowed to show us their warts. Although, it could be argued it would end up a mess given the high speed and shortness of the DF’s tracks, but I reckon a bit of grit on the tracks wouldn’t have hurt.
It’s not difficult to pigeonhole The Dangerfields, which is actually no bad thing- Their strength is knowing their niche; You either love or loathe punk & roll, and that’s what this is. Likewise it’s all or nothing with Griswold and Co., and that’s the way it’ll always be.
“We will never give up, we will never die” shouts Andrew and may the Dangerfields keep going at least another 700 gigs, or to quote Rodney’s epitaph, “there goes the neighbourhood.”
BURN
Voodoo Doll (mp3)
Rock Club (mp3)
The Grudge (mp3)
Nightmare
BROWSE:
Official Site
BUY:
Born To Rock at The Dangerfields store
Words by Eddie Mullan
6 responses so far ↓
Altrn8 // November 28, 2006 at 4:37 pm
I see what you mean about the sound, but Id say if it was grimey it wouldnt pack such a punch. Caddyshack rocks too!
AFI // December 2, 2006 at 7:19 pm
I hope they do beef up the next album. Anyone know if they’re releasing anything in near future?
Jarlath // December 4, 2006 at 9:17 am
i hear theyre recording over christmas and this january, i think the new record could possibly be out for summer, but well probly be hearing new tracks by march hopefully!
The Editor // December 4, 2006 at 12:05 pm
Cool beans
Pezman // December 4, 2006 at 5:53 pm
love the DFs live. Think Ive seen them about 5 times. Best was them on Halloween or the 666 gig!
The Dangerfields: Signed to American label « NoClarity.co.uk // February 8, 2007 at 3:25 pm
[...] to US label Hairball 8. Initially their critically acclaimed debut album Born To Rock (NC review here) will be promoted and distributed in North America and Europe by H8 subsidiary King Fing’r [...]
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