Dirt – Bloom
(Bigpop Records)
Reviewed by Bridget Herlihy.
It is often said that one should not judge a book by its cover. The same could be said of album covers. Yet, in this case, the eye-catching artwork of Kiwi band Dirt’s debut LP ‘Bloom’ is indeed indicative of what the listener discovers upon their first spin; an eclectic collection of timeless sonic treasures. ‘Bloom’ is a beautifully collated collection of ten tracks that effortlessly capture one’s attention and imagination, in part due to the subtle dashes of nostalgia and melancholy that appear in different guises throughout the album.
Dirt was conceived as a trio in a garage in Piha several years ago, featuring Malcolm Black and Nick Sampson, both of Netherworld Dancing Toys fame, and Barry Blackler (The Starlings UK, The Jesus And Mary Chain). After Black’s untimely passing in May 2019, Sampson and Blacker continued on as a duo to deliver the band’s first full-length album.
The influences, motivations and life experiences, both good and bad, that have inspired the ten tracks on ‘Bloom’ are many and varied. The result: a multi-faceted LP that cannot, and should not, be pigeonholed into one particular genre or sound. Yet if one was to try to describe the ‘sound’ of Dirt, it would perhaps best be described as a firm nod to good old rock n roll.
In many ways ‘Bloom’ is an homage to a lifetime’s worth of musical inspirations, both old and new. Each and every song tells a story, with the tracks ordered in such a way as to follow a chronological musical timeline, from the types of harmonies that Phil Spector became renowned for, to a touch of the psychedelic groove-infused rock tunes of the 60s, to the Manchester sound that punctuated the 90s, to the present. Yet despite the number of influences at play, Dirt have forged – and stay true to – their own unique sound; one that is undeniably catchy and uplifting.
Opening track ‘Hello’ (featuring the legendary Annie Crummer) opens with Crummer’s ethereal, slightly distorted vocals before transitioning to great guitar riffs and solid beats. Subsequently, there are many highlights on this album, including the aforementioned opening track ‘Hello’, ‘No Sense At All’ (which at times is reminiscent of 90s band Big Audio Dynamite), the mellow ‘Better Think Twice’ (with moments reminiscent of Talk Talk), and the beautiful ‘Lightning Says’. One of the highlights of the album is a fantastic reimagining of America’s ‘Horse With No Name’, a track that typically evokes images of a lone cowboy in the middle of the desert (or the infamous Walter White driving on the Albuquerque to those of a slightly younger persuasion). Dirt, however, ignited an impressive metamorphosis of the anthem into a mildly industrial, stripped back version that breathes new life into the classic.
‘Bloom’ truly does take the listener on a captivating musical journey that spans decades and genres, and provides a fascinating insight into the musical influences and trajectory of Sampson, Blackler, and indeed the late and lamented Malcolm Black. These musical snapshots of the highs and lows of life have been beautifully curated to create a thoroughly enjoyable body of work.
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