Blades of Grass

Blades of Grass

The Dirty Streets have listened to their Grand Funk Railroad albums. Or perhaps it's Humble Pie. Terry Reid? Bobby Whitlock? Whatever The Dirty Streets heard while living in Mississippi and on their way to Memphis has clearly informed the way the trio decided to make records. For Blades of Grass, The Dirty Streets went to work at the legendary Ardent Studios with a subtlety that's often deliberately missing in the works of bands (like Wolfmother) that emulate Black Sabbath. The Dirty Streets are unashamed to boogie or to play down their roots-rock angle. If songs such as "No Need to Rest," "Try Harder," and the title track recall Black Oak Arkansas in some way, that's just fine by them. Justin Toland sings as if bare-chested rock 'n' rollers are back in style, with a bluesy, soulful yawp. Perhaps fans of late-'60s and early-'70s hard rock will find The Dirty Streets; this power trio could make a serious impression in 2013, when so many other groups have wandered off with synthesizers and sound loops. There's room for everyone.

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