THE DIRTY NOVELS***image1***
Pack Your Pistols
Self-released
The Dirty Novels' new album
Pack Your Pistols
is, above all, the rowdy substance from music fanatics. The Novels inhabits its glam skin comfortably yet signals a fresh variation on a rock and blues foundation.
Pistols
is a 10-track release that provides moments of familiarity, but not without fresh motivation. "Libertines in My Scene," for example, sprinkles the album's heavy snare cadences with chords and fussy vocals. It's the stamp of identity, the thesis that all further statements will support. The album's next track, "Stealing Kisses," continues with the early Stones vibe textures and added vocal depth. The result, however, is a hooky summation-not without engagement, but stylistically top-heavy.
The third and most compelling track on
Pistols
is "His Perfect Love." The song brings out all the toys from the Novels' trick bag: a considerable downshift in tone led by a catchy guitar riff, subtle harmonies and lead singer Pablo Novelas' evocation of Daniel Ash. The song is a slow immersion; its action rising slowly to a series of peaks but ultimately restrained and self assured. The result is a thoroughly listenable, well-crafted tune that possesses the possibilities of the Novels' vision, while "Detroit Detour" and "New Shoes" expose the loud-and keep it loud-inklings of the Novels' personality.
Ultimately,
Pack Your Pistols
is an album you should own. It may not be the defining gem in your collection, but it is a solid assemblage of songs from a band doing the unspeakable by wearing its influences on its sleeves and making damn sure you hear it.
The Dirty Novels is hosting a CD release party at El Paseo with special guest That '70s Band. 9 pm Friday, March 2, $4
