Blusey rock has not made headlines since Elvis took over airwaves and our hearts. And while 2017 is proving to be a massive year for pop and hip-hop, Dull Blue Lights are shaking that notion. The release of their self-titled LP flawlessly blends together rockabilly, soul, reggae and that garage rock sound.
The self-titled album from Dull Blue Lights has a little bit of everything.
The self-titled EP opens up with “Basement,” a track that would have Elvis shook. With growling vocals that would leave every 50s rocker shook at how far the genre has come, “Basement” sets up the sound Dull Blue Lights delivers throughout the entire EP. The sound rivals that of the iconic “Burning Love” but with their own unique soulful additions.
“Make It To The Grave” has a soulful feel that makes you wonder if it was produced in the Motown studios in downtown Detroit. Somehow the group manages to add in a reggae back-beat with organ flair that blends together seamlessly.
As someone who is a sucker for songs in 3, “Forbidden Love” will most likely be my newest obsession. A thumping bass line with cascading guitar riffs create an undeniable rockabilly feel. The soulfulness in the vocals makes you long for a love in Chicago, another in Florida and a third in New Orleans that you’ve never even had.
“Sedated” has to be amazing in a live performance. Between the twang in the vocals to the dramatic pauses, everything about the track is epic. The massive opening sets the pace for the entirety of the track. If you check out one track from Dull Blue Lights, make sure it’s this one.
Drawing influences from Motown soul, throwing in nuggets of psychedelia, a steady foundation of rock and enough reggae to spice it up, The Dull Blue Lights call their in-between sound ‘Basement Soul’. The band incorporates any type of music that they enjoy into the Dull Blue Lights’ sound. Throwing it back to classic genres while finding a way to keep it modern provides a fresh take on rock.
“We acknowledge that genre exists, but have no interest in confining ourselves
to being just a soul band, or a mod band, or a reggae band, and on and on.” – Todd Fausnacht
The Philadelphia-based group recorded the entire self-titled album in five consecutive 12-hour-long sessions. Locked up in The Bomb Shelter in Nashville, Tennessee and live recording all 10 tracks definitely influences the entire LP’s sound – but in a good way.
Be sure to follow Dull Blue Lights Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
