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 Phase Problem

The Power Of Positive Thinking
Brassneck Records (2024)

I spent a good part of the late ‘90s annoyed at the abundance of Ramonescore. I’ll stand by my word: many of the bands of that era were carbon copies that didn’t bring anything new to the format. But time has passed and what was overdone is now a refreshing change of pace. For whatever reason, when I hear a … Read more

Totally Slow

The Darkness Intercepts
Refresh Records (2024)

I find Totally Slow a hard band to categorize. Their brand of melodic, hard punk is familiar and comforting -- rooted in ‘80s hardcore, ‘90s skatepunk, and post-something guitar-driven rock. The press release namedrops Dag Nasty and Hot Snakes, among others, which I think are good starting points. But while it’s familiar, it’s absolutely not a carbon copy. Like their forebearers, the songs … Read more

Steamachine

City of Death
Records Workshop (2023)

City Of Death is the third album from Polish noise makers Steamachine. Having dabbled in a few metal styles over their career, City Of Death has a heavy carnival influence to it which I have to say I really like. It's interesting just how much more sinister things sound when you pump eerie, jingly circus sounds amongst very dark, heavy, … Read more