Silver Dirt Never Give Up
by Derric Miller
Staff Writer
Switzerland is going to join Sweden as the “hot bed” of new Hard Rock talent on the planet. Gotthard has brought a well-deserved musical spotlight to the country over the past few years, and the band Shakra’s new release Everest should sell a ton of albums. Based on the current output from Switzerland, don’t be surprised if Silver Dirt’s new studio album Never Give Up brings the band one step closer to “making it,” whatever the hell that means in this day and non-music buying age …
Silver Dirt has been together since 2004, and where their first EP and LP Sonic Boom both leaned a little closer to Gotthard and Shakra’s accessible Hard Rock sound, Silver Dirt doesn’t use the ’80s as an influence at all on Never Give Up — no, they go back to the ’70s, when music was dirty, raw, and thusly, more pure. Influenced more so by The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin than Motley Crue or Def Leppard, Silver Dirt is reveling in a kind of music outside the glut of glam being re-introduced today.
The band kicks things off with “Somebody Help Me,” a groovy anthem with an uber-melodic chorus. Singer Silver Steff has a laid back, almost talk-singing approach to this track, until the chorus anyway. They do a shout-out to The Black Crowes right before the guitar, with Steff admitting, “I need a remedy.”
Up next is “(I Need Some) Action,” a song about the boredom that is life between the highs of women, wine, and in their words, “69.” It seems that Silver Dirt has peeled back the layers of their music even more so than on Sonic Boom; this is just pared down Rock ‘N’ Roll, with no makeup (except on their faces maybe) or unecessary production efforts. Everything sounds live and vibrant, with no note going to waste.
“Leave It Alone” is a manic, full-speed composition, with drummer Silver Gregg ripping off a torrid drum lead in. Dirty Lyo lays down some bluesy leads, and the gang shouting vocals on the chorus make this the kind of song you want to tip back a beer or 12 with and yell along. Lyo’s solo is one of the most intricate on the release, heated yet never turning into a Metal cacaphony. It’s all blues-based RNR, especially with Lyo’s overall style.
Silver Dirt isn’t afraid to write a song or two about boozin’, and why should they be? “Barfly” is one of those odes to the majesty of alcohol, and Dirty Seb pulls the plow with a thick, thumping bass line. You will hear right away that Silver Dirt likes to tell stories with their lyrics, although they aren’t preaching (except to the choir on this one). Take these lines, for instance: “Some are here to remember, and some to forget. Some like me, just to celebrate.” The simple yet effective chorus is one of their best on Never Give Up, and this is one of the most memorable songs.
“Way Outta Line” is one of those songs where you’ll understand that Steff owns a unique voice. The best way to explain it is that he doesn’t sound like he is trying; it’s not a knock on him, but a compliment. Like Steven Tyler, you never feel Steff is hitting a note he can’t handle or that he is even exerting massive amounts of energy like so many singers have to. The song isn’t up there with “Barfly” or “Somebody Help Me,” but it’s certainly a good ripper nontheless.
Never Give Up fades to black with the longest track on the release, “So Many Times.” It would have been nice to see the band perhaps go beyond the mid-tempo rock pace they’ve slathered on the release, maybe with a ballad or something like “Last Exit/Voodoo Land” from their prior release. That being said, it is one of the most intricate compositions here, and the Led Zeppelin vibe is all over the place musically.
Silver Dirt is one of those bands that can appeal to Hard Rock/Hair Metal fans, but perhaps, should intrigue the fans of mainstream Classic Rock. You’ve seen the likes of Jet selling around four million albums from out of nowhere, because their sound appealed to kids today, but also, to more than one generation. Silver Dirt’s music clearly breaches that same generational gap. In other words, Never Give Up is cool for a 16 year old to listen to, and it’s cool for a 55 year old as well. Rock can always use a good revolution, and Seattle had its horrific turn. Now it’s Switzerland’s time, and Silver Dirt may just be the next band to lead that charge.
Online: Official site
Label: Gofannon Records
Track listing:
1. Somebody Help Me
2. I Need Some Action
3. Come Along
4. Leave It Alone
5. Little D
6. Barfly
7. Alright
8. Forever Shine
9. Way Outta Line
10. So Many Times
HRH Rating: 8.3/10