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Writer's picturebethanyhildebrandt

ALBUM REVIEW: Dirty Honey's Self-Titled

Updated: Jan 7, 2022

Dirty Honey released their debut album Friday, April 23, 2021, and we already can't get enough of it.




But who is Dirty Honey? Consisting of four members - Justin Smolian on bass, Corey Coverstone on drums, John Notto wailin' on guitar, and that killer vocalist Marc LaBelle. Straight out of Los Angeles, Dirty Honey offers "New Fashioned Rock N Roll", as quoted by Notto.




"California Dreamin'" is the opening track to this eight-song album and is a perfect introduction to what you're getting yourself into and really knows how to pull you in. This song gives me the perfect visual to be listening to this song, driving down the streets of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, etc. with palm trees surrounding the area, this song blaring and feeling the amazing California air. Oh, and maybe you could wave to Dirty Honey as you drive past them.






The repetitive guitar riff at the very beginning of "The Wire" drew me in instantly. The way Marc sings the lyrics - "I'm a fool for you"- is very relatable. The music in this is just so rockin' you can't help but keep movin' and dancing throughout the entire song. Everything is so there - guitar, bassline, drums, vocals. And the chorus is where the song really takes off. "Tied Up" is the track that makes you feel like you're at a Dirty Honey show. When the chorus hits, everyone's singing. "Now I'm tied/I love the way you move/So tied up/I love the way you touch me/I don't want to know the truth/I'm tied up/I love the way you touch me". "Tied Up" proves this is the exact type of Rock N Roll people are looking for.


Already halfway through the album, "Take My Hand" speaks of frustration - "No time to change the mistakes you made/And if I have to carry your weight/It's the price I have to pay." Everyone and everything is so in sync. The guitar and bass are so perfectly in sync, it's almost scary. It's as if the band really comes together as one in this song."Gypsy" pulls you in with fasted-paced drums and jazzy guitar riffs. This is the perfect song for a road trip, on the plane, running around town, driving in general, running, you name it. The chorus goes - "I'm on the road just living like a gypsy."The music in "No Warning" is just plain fun. Hell, this entire album is plain fun. The main guitar riff can have you really dancing the night away. You get so lost in the music, your brain just kind of hears the lyrics in the background.


When a song starts out with "Oh, what a lovely way to meet you/No, the pleasure's all mine" - you know you're in for a treat. "The Morning" is what EVERYONE wants from rock 'n' roll - guitars and sex. The lyrics - I've got the key to your ignition/But I'm eating out of the palm of your hand" - is really what everyone wants to hear. Just the beginning of this last track already touches your heart. They threw the damn keyboard in there and "Another Last Time" is the perfect sound to end this wonderful album. The opening lyrics are - "She burns like a whiskey/She cries like rain" - yes, relatable. Once you reach the chorus, you'll be crying. This song sounds like one of those songs you sing when you're leaving the bar, when you leave a concert, when you leave a place you love, etc. The chorus is where it really hits - "Another last time, Another last time/One more go around and we say goodbye".


Dirty Honey has left us quite content with their debut, but they know we're still begging for me. We can't wait to see what they give us next!







DIRTY HONEY


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