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Dirt Byrds

Glorious new studio album...

PUNK

Review By: Dennis Jarman

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I can remember back in the 80's seeing tee-shirts, and or badges proclaiming "Punks Not Dead",and it's still relevant courtesy of the Dirt Byrds who have released their glorious new studio album, Standing In Line, available from timetobeproudrecords.com. Hailing from Bangor, in Belfast, they quite rightly proclaim themselves as, "Brutalist, garage rock, played with an authentic scowl".

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Ten tracks are short, sharp, and straight to the point, as the album opens up with 'Blame', Oi, Oi, Oi at it's finest. A feedback whined intro heads off into razor sharp, skin flaying guitar rage, a gnarly bare knuckle vocal delivery, and an unrelenting drum assault that's a shock to the senses.

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'I Don't Know' is an ear mauling minute of vitriol and Doc Marten boot bashing, throughout this ballistic rager. The highlight is the light speed snare work that's like listening to Woody Woodpecker after four cans of Carlsberg Special Brew!

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'Waste My Days' has riffs catchier than an STD that shake, rattle and roll around a gritted teeth vocal that's spewed out loud and proud, taking no shit, just dishing it out!

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'Daz Kapital' is quirky but still has enough force to flatten anything that stands in it's way due to the seismic slabs of punk, and resistance is futile!

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'Yer Not Punk' is a gruelling grind, but in a good way as it shows off their rockier side, as big, meaty riffs are spiky speaker bashers par excellence.

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'Call Around' is surprisingly a feelgood song due to rip roaring riffs, bouncy bass grooves and a song subject which seems to reflect about forming a band, writing some songs and hitting the road with them.

I was getting a lot of The Members in 'Suburban Saturday Night, bringing back some fantastic memories, as the vitriol spat out bites at your ankles for two minutes of pogoing heaven!

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The album title track, 'Standing In Line', hits hard and heavy with demolition ball crushing prowess, as lyrics are delivered with manic glee. 

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'Addiction' lives up to its title as this choon is regurgitated out with piss and vinegar, hate fuelled ire that demanded more than one repeat play.

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This highly impressive album closes with 'Pity', a dense, claustrophobic way to end this rollercoaster ride for one more foray into the darkness, ending up in a fist fight in your favourite pub car park, after closing time!

 

youtu.be/ErVp3tTTc_U?si=o4EQCt8V6jehJix1

 

dirtbyrds2021.bandcamp.com/album/standing-in-line

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