The Dirty Guv’nahs have recently released their third album, Somewhere Beneath These Southern Skies. The six-piece rock band hailing from Knoxville, TN, has truly stuck to their guns on the traditional rock and roll sound that listeners know and love. If that traditional sound was the band’s overall goal, it was well achieved.
At first glance, the contemporary album cover with the six Southern gentlemen well-dressed led to hopes the album possessed something different from every other rock band. However, as the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover. When “Can You Feel It” started and I heard James Trimble’s vocals resonate, I immediately thought of Kings Of Leon’s Caleb Followill due to their similar tone. In no regards does this mean Trimble’s vocals need improvement because his sound and range was unwavering throughout the album.
With the mixture of steadfast vocals and solid instrumentation from rhythm to melodies, it sounds like this band would put on a high momentum live performance. The guitars, piano, and percussion were really flaunted on tracks “Good Luck Charm” and “Child.” At times the vocals would overshadow the instruments on the album, but for the most part, the band maintained a well-balanced sound.
Overall, The Dirty Guv’nahs produced a competent and unique album, though it was played safe with no “wow” factor. The advantage of having that traditional rock sound is that it’s timeless and will forever be appreciated by fans of the genre. I did not find much that sets them a part from any other rock band I have heard.
In A Word: Safe
