The greatest compliment that you can pay Dropkick is that new artists are as likely to be compared to them as Teenage Fanclub. They are certainly more prolific and after initially being slightly under the TFC shadow and being compared to them, they have more than earned the right to stand alone and at times above.
Some may unfairly say that you know what you are gonna get as though that is a sin. When you are as good at what they do why should they not do what they are great at? As if to prove those critics and smug soles wrong, Primary Colours may be the trio's most diverse album yet.
Long term fans can be reassured that there is more than enough of what they like and crave. The joyous jangling of the opener, Left Behind, shows that the West Coast has not been forgotten. But elsewhere there are big surprising treats.
Never more so on Highs And Lows on which Alan Shields takes lead vocals delivering a sort of Dave Edmunds style rocker with its Punky opening and its Indie Rock out. Snowflakes is fuzzed up heaven and Vanishing Act may be West Coast Rock, but it could be Crazy Horse backing Andrew Taylor.
Their ability to Jangle has not been lost, but at times it takes on a more commercial slant, particularly on the anthemic Dreams May Expire and Waiting For The Rain more than reveals that they have not forgotten to write memorable choruses.
Plus if you like your vocal harmonies, just head straight to the title track. There's something really special about a band amazingly into their third decade still offering up splendid songs. Yes they have not forgotten what they are about, but they also reveal there is much more them than just that. Wonderful!
You can listen to and buy the album here. The album is available on Vinyl, CD, Cassette and as a download.
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