Review / 200 Words Or Less
Dusty Rhodes and The River Band
First You Live

Side One Dummy (2007) Scottie

Dusty Rhodes and The River Band – First You Live cover artwork
Dusty Rhodes and The River Band – First You Live — Side One Dummy, 2007

With an Americana backbone, Dusty Rhodes and The River Band play a type of rock similar to CCR, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and other sixties acts that incorporated a strong folk/country influence into their sound without being gimmicky. Can't place those names? Then imagine Flogging Molly less punk, more rock n' roll, less Irish, earlier 20th century American. Imagine Murder By Death without the macabre subject matter. The vocals have a whiny, early nineties "alternative" sound to them. Sort of like people trying to sound like Axl Rose but failing miserably. A strong disc nonetheless and worth checking out if you're a fan of folk, zydeco, early country, bluegrass and sounds of nature.

7.5 / 10Scottie • November 13, 2007

Dusty Rhodes and The River Band – First You Live cover artwork
Dusty Rhodes and The River Band – First You Live — Side One Dummy, 2007

Related news

Side One Dummy Signs Dusty Rhodes And The River Band

Posted in Labels on September 6, 2007

Recently-posted album reviews

The Arrivals

Payload
Recess (2026)

It's been a short lifetime since the last Arrivals record, Volatile Molotov, but in many ways the new Payload picks up exactly where the last one left off. It straddles the mid-tempo punk spectrum while drawing influence from seemingly all realms of the rock 'n' roll cannon. I'd state that mod, power-pop, Brit Invasion, and even R&B are some of … Read more

UDDER

Self Titled
Depose Records (2025)

Some records feel like they were carefully constructed. Others feel like they were barely contained. Udder’s three-song 7” on Depose Records lands firmly in the second category with a short, strange burst of psych-leaning noise rock that feels less like a statement and more like something unearthed. That’s not far from the truth either. Originally formed in the early ’90s … Read more

Various Artists

Louder Than You Think: A Lo-Fi History of Gary Young & Pavement (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Independent (2026)

Gary Young wasn’t just a drummer; he was a beautiful, unpredictable glitch poking a hole in the sky where other lovable misfits could enter and leave this universe they’d grace with their presence. While Hendrix kissed the sky, Young merely bit a hole right through it. While Pavement was busy inventing the 1990s slacker blueprint for the masses, Gary was … Read more