After the release in 2023 of part of the LP, 'Prelude to Firebird', the Americans from 'Dirt Poor Robins' have therefore released all the titles which are now available on all streaming platforms. I must admit, I did not know this group and when you search on the internet, the genres of music to describe their style are multiple (pop, rock, metal, electro, orchestral, progressive and so on), this which attracted me because I'm always looking for musical mixes. And there, after a first listen to 'Firebird', I understand why they cannot be placed in a very specific box because it is indeed very varied and that is what makes their strength. The other characteristic of 'Dirt Poor Robins' is to offer us melodies accessible at first listen which allows, even if each title has its own personality, to enter more easily into each composition of this latest baby of the Americans.
12 tracks punctuate this album, for a short hour of listening, most of which were the subject of a video on Youtube with the lyrics: first of all, with 'Political' (see the video below above), it swings with a rhythm that gives you an irresistible desire to move your whole body, then, without transition, 'Cry Wolf' is a sensual ballad with a magnificent vocal performance from 'Kate DeGraide' and remarkable choral arrangements, the little guitar solo of 'Neil DeGraide' is also delicious (see the video here). Return to well-paced electro rock with 'You'll Never Hear it Coming' taking us back to this style which flourished in the 80s (see the video here), then, 'Fever Dream' takes us into a refreshing atmosphere with a luminous melody to which you automatically start clapping your hands (see the video here). New moment of tranquility with 'Beauty Will Save the World' in the form of a new ballad in which 'Kate DeGraide' delivers a very moving vocal performance (see the video here), then, alternately, 'To the Heights' continues in an atmosphere with well-paced electronic sounds (see the video here) and 'All at Once' slows down the tempo for a new, calmer composition with, once again, sublime vocal arrangements. We head back to the 80s with the radiant 'Holy Roller' which is a mix of rock and disco with gospel-influenced choirs (see the video here), then, 'So Long to Yesterday' begins in a rather muscular manner but continues with a melody that the Swedes of ABBA would not have denied. 'Kate DeGraide' returns to charm us with 'Empty', a refined composition in which the American brings a very particular emotion, the instrumental and vocal arrangements of the second part taking us into a sort of waking dream. 'The Impershables' followed by the title song which follows without transition ends the album in a very beautiful way with, first of all two lush minutes, the rhythm section being particularly vigorous, then, the music loses its energy for an atmospheric part quiet which serves as a transition to 'Firebird' for a finale which unfolds a very beautiful melody on which 'Kate DeGraide' offers us a last remarkable vocal performance with a repeated 'ho-ho-ho-ho' section which should make everyone sing an audience in concert (see the video here).
In summary, the Americans of 'Dirt Poor Robins' reward us with an excellent album with very varied compositions that we immediately get to grips with thanks to catchy melodic lines and 'Firebird' is recommended for a loving audience a diversity of styles drawn from the last forty years with a modern sound... | |
