Review: Every Time I Die "The Big Dirty"

Ahh... Every Time I Die. These boys hardly ever disappoint, however they can sometimes play to odd for their own good, shattering what little catchiness they have. As with their first album: Hot Damn, and then Gutter Phenomenon, The Big Dirty promises a blistering barrage of down and "dirty" (ohhh, im clever) southern chunk riffs over and over (which is always fun). In my personal belief, The Big Dirty as an album name comes closest to describing what Every Time I Die has evolved into: A hellish wildcat, spewing dirt and prophecy from it's mouth, while shredding the grass with it's claws, and ultimately putting just enough force into you to make it interesting. This is...The Big Dirty.

Keith has always been a powerhouse vocalist, even back in the old day, however, the one thing that shines through in The Big Dirty, is: confidence. Keith has grown from a singer, who pushed the limits every once in a while, to a full blown confidant lunatic. Just by listening to some of the lyrics, one begins to ponder why he isn't locked up, but it's quite entertaining to say the least. Wait, is it time for the Keith Buckley Lyric-off? *judges?*....yes, I believe it is.

1. No Son of Mine: We've drained full confession booths, polluted drinking wells with our repentances and then stood, grinning with our arm around shoulders of a rotting child. Hold that pose! Provisional, arrogant little pigs who devour their siblings. Shoot that dog if we can't afford to feed. Shoot that dog if we can't afford to feed.

2. We'reWolf: turn the lights off, turn the lights off daddy better lock up his girl say a prayer boy, call on the cops? cause you ain't gotta run when the music comes on. board up the doors, the windows and keep your crying under your breath.Cause I smell a drop of fear in a ten gallon tank and I'm movin' in for the kill.

He's just crazy enough to be awesome

Every Time I Die's guitars sound drunk, and if you think it's a beer drunk, you're mistaken. These boys have truly harnessed the spirit of AC/DC, the grit of ZZ Top, and the belligerence and rolled it into on fat tone. One of the main things on this album that keeps me coming back for more is that guitar. It's one that (if it could speak) would tell of tales when rock was rock, and things were much simpler. It is one, that would tell of just plainly rocking, without the thought of doing anything else. This is, in a nutshell, what Every Time I Die has done, especially on the big dirty. They don't concern themselves with shredding, or overly technical things. They concern themselves with making you move, and that's exactly what they accomplish.

The Drums on this album, are so cleverly monotonous, that they provide just the foundation for the rock. Too many drummers (and musicians in general) concern themselves with being the center of attention all the time, and this is just not the case with the Big Dirty. The Rhythm section is strong, but not too strong. It'll carry you where you need to go, without frying your brain. Michael Novak is no slouch, but he knows that too much crowds the music.

Now, I know I've been telling you how awesome everything on this album is so far, but I would be lying if I didn't say I wasn't a little disappointed with the bass. There are no drops to speak of, and the difference between bass and guitar is hardly discernible. There's nothing really wrong with it, but there's nothing really spectacular about it either. So there you have it, my first rag on a band member. I guess it had to happen sometime.

Every Time I Die has launched this feral monstrosity, including pounding drums, wet, drunken guitars, and the extroverted, maniacal vocals that are Keith Buckley's own...and bass. The Big Dirty is a work of art that rocks you in such a way that you'll end your day screaming: "You don't live 'til you're ready to die."