{"id":29150,"date":"2013-04-22T11:17:02","date_gmt":"2013-04-22T16:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=29150"},"modified":"2014-02-08T08:35:07","modified_gmt":"2014-02-08T13:35:07","slug":"russ-dwarf-wireless-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2013\/russ-dwarf-wireless-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Russ Dwarf | Wireless<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

by John Kindred<\/span>
\n– Publisher —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"RUSSCanada\u2019s Killer Dwarfs\u2019 comedic zeal and polished chops catapulted the band from Oshawa, Ontario, into homes of America via MTV in the \u201880s. Their success produced two classic albums released by Epic Records, \u201988 Big Deal<\/em> and \u201890s Dirty Weapons<\/em>. Led by Russ \u201cDwarf\u201d Graham, the band released five studio albums and toured relentlessly over the course of their career before succumbing to the Grunge movement in the \u201890s. Russ Dwarf continued on in the music business, and after 30-plus years, he returns with an acoustic interpretation of Killer Dwarfs\u2019 greatest hits.<\/p>\n

Wireless<\/em> features music from 1986\u2019s Stand Tall<\/em>, \u201888\u2019s Big Deal<\/em>, 1990\u2019s Dirty Weapons<\/em> and \u201892\u2019s Method to the Madness<\/em> studio albums. The running order of the songs is chronological that showcases the band\u2019s progression as songwriters. Russ is joined by guitarist Glen Belcher and bassist Rob Zakojc. A few special guests include Glen Drover and Ron \u201cBumblefoot\u201d Thal. <\/p>\n

The stripped-back renditions of classic Killer Dwarfs songs start with \u201cKeep the Spirit Alive,\u201d which is a poignant start for some, as the band\u2019s music never was too far from their hearts. It\u2019s a bit mellow for an album lead-off song, but Dwarf\u2019s voice melds flawlessly with the melodies. \u201cStand Tall\u201d follows and instantly picks up the tempo. Here, the trio captures the raw energy of the moment, along with the energy of the original song. \u201cI\u2019m Alive\u201d has a country-blues vibe that is combined with a Robert Plant-like rhythmic pulse to the vocal melody. \u201cStarting to Shine\u201d maintains the same relaxed delivery. Without the heavy distorted guitars or bombastic drums, Dwarf showcases his voice, proving that he hasn\u2019t lost a step as a singer.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t Matter\u201d certainly was a song written for the acoustic guitar. It\u2019s is a pleasant reminder of Killer Dwarfs during their finest hour. A positive and uplifting song, Dwarf continues to amaze with his vocal delivery. \u201cComin\u2019 Through\u201d opens with its bluesy-Mid-Eastern riff, which sounds brilliant on the acoustic guitar. \u201cDirty Weapon\u201d turns out to be a bluesy ballad-like piece in this stripped back version. This mellow rendition works, even though you wouldn\u2019t think it would. The acoustic guitar solo is quite elegant and fluid. \u201cLook Around,\u201d \u201cFour Season\u201d and \u201cDrifting Back\u201d close out the album. <\/p>\n

Russ Dwarf provides a unique introspective look at Killer Dwarfs catalog of music. The album features brilliant performance by all involved. In this stripped format, the vocals shine. Whether it be Dwarf\u2019s singing, alone, or the addition of the vocal harmonies, it\u2019s certainly those melodies that carry the music forward. The production is flawless; the acoustic guitar sounds alive and natural, as if you\u2019re sitting in the same room. A lot of \u201cunplugged\u201d albums don\u2019t work, as the music oftentimes doesn\u2019t fit this format. Killer Dwarfs\u2019 music, though, shows that the songs were not just power-chord-pop-metal jaunts. The music has real substance.<\/p>\n

Genre: Glam Rock, Hard Rock<\/p>\n

Band:
\nRuss Dwarf – vocals
\nGlenn Belcher – guitar, sitar and banjo
\nRob ‘Zaks’ Zakojc – bass and backing vocals<\/p>\n

Additional Musicians:
\nGlen Drover – guitar (2)
\nRon ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal – guitar (10)
\nKevin Simpson – guitar
\nDan Lear – guitar
\nKevin Reid – guitar
\nCosimo Crupi – keyboards
\nFred Duvall – percussion<\/p>\n

Track List:
\n01. Keep The Spirit Alive (Stand Tall<\/em>)
\n02. Stand Tall (Stand Tall<\/em>)
\n03. I’m Alive (Big Deal<\/em>)
\n04. Startin’ To Shine (Big Deal<\/em>)
\n05. Doesn’t Matter (Dirty Weapons<\/em>)
\n06. Comin’ Through (Dirty Weapons<\/em>)
\n07. Dirty Weapons (Dirty Weapons<\/em>)
\n08. Look Around (Method to the Madness<\/em>)
\n09. Four Seasons (Method to the Madness<\/em>)
\n10. Driftin’ Back (Method to the Madness<\/em>)<\/p>\n

Produced by Fred Duvall and Glenn Belcher. Executive producer Rob Zakojc. <\/p>\n

Web: http:\/\/russdwarf.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 9\/10<\/p>\n