THE DEAD REDS ***
Dictated Democracy (self-released)
This is the fourth album from a Brighton five-piece who describe themselves as hard, loud and a bit like Led Zep meets Guns N’ Roses.
With this knowledge, I was surprised to find that the first track, Peasant’s Revolt, opens with Beth Lees singing American back-porch folk – and just as I’d adjusted my expectations, the song changed direction and vocalist.
Jez Green’s voice, meanwhile, has a metal vibe, which seems a little at odds with the melodies here.
This is a lyric-driven album, in that the words tell a story (I found myself thinking Jethro Tull) and are political/historical, but this style of lyricism doesn’t mix well with what are some great rock elements. There were parts that I wanted more of (the rockin’ guitar and drums), parts where I wanted less (the harmonicas) and parts that got my head swaying.
This is a weird album that doesn’t seem sure what genre it is. All that said, Dictated Democracy’s supposed shortcoming could be its greatest strength, because The Dead Reds have delivered a piece of work that keeps the listener on their toes.
words LYNDA NASH