[dweeb] - Feels Like Dynamite

Published Wednesday 19th May 2010
[dweeb] - Feels Like Dynamite
[dweeb] - Feels Like Dynamite

STYLE: Rock
RATING 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 93606-16604
LABEL: Fierce! FIERCD6055
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 2010-05-10
RRP: £7.49

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Imagine taking everything that is great about [dweeb] and distilling it down to a more concentrated form. You know, the unhinged vocals of Tim Alford, the solid and yet fluid bass lines of Matt Donald, the powerful driving drumming of Dave Ashworth (he makes a lot of noise for a little guy) and the superb riffing and sheer joy of Badgerman's guitar. Anyway, previous releases have featured all of that but for 'Feels Like Dynamite', they have managed to deliver all of that in concentrated form and added a few new tricks as well. In the run up to them hitting the studio and recording this, I heard a few demos and thought there'd be more synth and dance rhythms on this release. But instead, there's a tweeking of the style which made 'Moose Moose Chicken Moose' and 'It Came From Outer Space' such delights rather than a wholesale stylistic change. This exhilarating album abounds in highlights including the first single off the album, "It's OK", with its killer chorus even though I'm not won over by the pointless acoustic intro. "Playing In The Snow" has a supreme riff that'll have the crowds dancing and a set of yobbo vocals that'll have people singing along. In fact, [dweeb] have a gift for creating anthemic singalong choruses with seemingly a Millwall FC crowd providing vocal support. Another good example of this is "Blunt Incision". Thankfully the band haven't forgotten that they are a rock band so the album closes with "Upside Down" and a chance to wig out! Now signed to Fierce Records, the band have a real opportunity to reach a wider audience and have delivered a superlative album.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Product Description

Anyone who saw [dweeb] take a leading role in the BBC 3 documentary ‘Singing With The Enemy’ will know them as a collective of undeniable unity and faith. Put them up on stage with the lights and crowd and no matter how bright the lights or how big the crowd [dweeb] will serve up one of the most electrifying live shows around.

And the album…? Well, amid all that neon hyperglo and industrial sonic optimism there’s going to be something truly great.

Reader Comments

Posted by Ben in Leicester @ 11:09 on May 27 2010

I admire how [dweeb] can alternate their style whilst keeping the foundations in place which is what makes them who they are.

I'm not sure I can agree that It's OK is a highlight (nor that the acoustic beginning is 'pointless' but rather it leads you into its sudden start) although I can understand the direction they have taken with that song to create a wider audience.
If I had to choose one favourite I would choose We are the ones.
Certainly the album as a whole is impressive and songs such as Mountains for Molehills and Silence is Golden take you back to previous [dweeb] releases which is brilliant, it shows progression and a 'moving forward' within the band rather than a sudden 'what the hec' sort of change and image.

On the whole the production is very fitting and spot on although their are a couple of times, like in Blunt incision where I feel the rhythm guitar could be a bit more driven throughout the main guitar riff but has purposely been toned down. Although an applause is deserved for the extension of 'everybody lets get something going' and the changes they have made towards the end with time signatures and other little bits.

Can't wait to see them on their tour!
8/10



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