{"id":24384,"date":"2012-12-12T06:52:20","date_gmt":"2012-12-12T11:52:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=24384"},"modified":"2013-02-05T16:45:38","modified_gmt":"2013-02-05T21:45:38","slug":"silver-dirt-payback-time-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2012\/silver-dirt-payback-time-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Silver Dirt | Payback Time <\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Derric Miller<\/span>
\n– Managing Editor —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"An album called Payback Time<\/em> would seem to be one rife with anger, frustration, darkness and hopefully violence. But Swiss band Silver Dirt almost takes the expression in a new direction on their third album release, with music so professional, melodic, cheerful and catchy that maybe they really mean \u201cit\u2019s time for us to get PAID!\u201d With legendary Beau Hill adding his magic touch to the production and recording of Payback Time<\/em>, it\u2019s nearly flawless.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t been a fan of the prior two studio albums (Sonic Boom<\/em> and Never Give Up<\/em>) or DVD, you should probably get on board. The band has evolved, though; they used to lean about 30 percent \u201csilver\u201d to 70 percent \u201cdirt.\u201d Their prior albums were heavier, less polished, and a little messy (in a good way). They flipped that quotient around on Payback Time, and what you get is one of the best Hard Rock albums of the year. <\/p>\n

Probably the most testosterone-fueled track is the opener, a galloping composition with some stellar guitar leads. \u201cThe Stand\u201d is the band taking a stand, and you\u2019ll hear it on the lyrics \u201cCrush my bones if you like it. Smear my blood on the wall. Smash my head on the pavement \u2026 but you won\u2019t get my soul!\u201d Yeah, there\u2019s the aforementioned violence you should be hoping for.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s really where anger stops, though. Up next is the uplifting \u201cSpread Your Wings,\u201d a smart, \u201cseize the day\u201d kind of song that kicks you in the ass and sort of reaffirms that we ain\u2019t here forever. Lead singer Peronne used to sing in a Zeppelin cover band and also in a hair band called Sultan. He owns a devastating range but reigns it in and just masters each song. He\u2019s good on this one but better later.<\/p>\n

While the band typically plays mid-tempo rockers, hearing a bit of a change on \u201cPlace in the Sun\u201d is a deft move by the band. \u201cPlace in the Sun\u201d is a real, radio-friendly song. Really depends on what country you live in because in the U.S. good music isn\u2019t played unless on satellite radio, but it SHOULD be played in every country. <\/p>\n

Seems the band is giving everyone \u2014 including themselves \u2014 a pep talk on \u201cNever Give Up.\u201d The band opens with talking about 20 years in the business, meeting so many people they can\u2019t remember, and the speed and attitude will get the blood boiling a bit. Like the first track, it\u2019s manly as hell.<\/p>\n

But the best track, the one that should put them on the map, is \u201cBeautiful Day.\u201d This is almost like a Matchbox 20, or a super-mellow Nickelback hit. You could hear Kid Rock and Cheryl Crow singing this one together. It has a modern vibe but sort of an innocence that is surprising. Simple and hooky, you\u2019ll be singing \u201cI\u2019m on my way, it\u2019s a beautiful day. I\u2019m on my way \u2026 to you,\u201d over and over after hearing it just one time. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut we\u2019re big in Japan!\u201d Sure, that\u2019s something bands used to say in defense of their plummeting album sales and concert venues (and they were always right, because Japan loves great Hard Rock music). Silver Dirt has instantly endeared themselves to Japan by writing \u201cMata Kuru Ze.\u201d Sure, the verses are in English but hearing the gang vocals of the band yelling \u201cMata kuru ze\u201d during the chorus should make this an instant hit in Japan. Plus, it\u2019s a damn strong composition, like a classic Night Ranger hit. Oh wait \u2026 they are big in Japan too. Good.<\/p>\n

Payback Time is Silver Dirt evolving beyond their gruffer, drunker, less mainstream early recordings. You can\u2019t use words like \u201cmature\u201d to define their new music, in case it\u2019s taken as an insult, but they have surely evolved from every aspect, from musicianship to songwriting to recording (thanks Beau). Put this on your Christmas wish list even if you are a pagan, heathen, non-Christian or an atheist, because regardless if you agree or not with the reason the world celebrates during this time of year, you\u2019ll want to have Silver Dirt playing at that time.<\/p>\n

Genre: Hard Rock<\/p>\n

Band:
\nSteff Peronne: lead vocals\/guitar
\nV.G. Richardson: drums
\nChris Savourey: guitars
\nStefano Ongarello: bass
\n(Album musicians: Peronne, Richardson and Sicky Lyo on bass and guitar)<\/p>\n

Track listing:
\n1. The Stand
\n2. Spread Your Wings
\n3. Spinning the Wheel
\n4. Place in the Sun
\n5. Here They Come
\n6. Never Give up
\n7. Beautiful Day
\n8. R.I.P. (The Earth)
\n9. No More
\n10. Mata Kuru Ze
\n11. Beautiful Day (Alternate version)<\/p>\n

Label: Independent<\/p>\n

Online: www.silverdirt.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.8\/10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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