CD REVIEW: DALLAS CRANE – Scoundrels

Shane | 17 February 2016 | Reply

CD REVIEW: DALLAS CRANE – Scoundrels
Nylon Sounds
27 November, 2015
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
7 ½ /10

Where the hell have Dallas Crane been hiding? It’s been nine long years since their fourth album Factory Girls was released, but here we are, finally, with Scoundrels.

Opener Sunnyside proves that they’ve lost none of their Oz Rock potency: the Chris Brodie/Steve Pinkerton rhythm section is as rock solid as any you could name, Pete Satchell’s guitar is as meaty and sharp as it ever was, and Dave Larkin’s sulphuric gargle perfectly suits the pub rock on offer.

I’m Sorry Darling – which was released as a single in late 2013 with a view to the album following the next year – is a bluesy groove with a slinky rhythm, while the Satchell-sung So It Goes is a slower rocker that bridges the gap between your meat and potato AC/DC and Choirboys rockers and You Am I’s more retro-indie-tinged stylings.

Come To Light sounds like Screaming Jay Hawkins fronting the ultimate pub rock band, Billie’s Gonna Die Young bristles with street violence and punk n’ roll fury, Lucky Me channels Tim Rogers’ melancholy beauty from tip to toe, while Disillusioned’s barely restrained blue collar poverty-line anger makes it one of the most potent tracks on the album.

Things tail off a little in the closing act: Get Off The Dope is another quality You Am I-tinged rocker, but Straight Time is one dimensional and closer The Good Times drags a bit despite best intentions.

Despite this, Dallas Crane prove crowd funding faith in them was well justified, and Scoundrels – fan-drawn cover and all – is a welcome return for the Aussie rockers.