Dawes - 'We're All Gonna Die' Hot

As a pleasing diversion it works very well, but there is nothing to grab you, nothing to make you keep coming back for more.

This is not Rock, is it? Dawes were a bit noisier on their last album, but this is actually Americana, a little like JJ Grey but without the Soul. This brotherly band that has had success on US TV with performances and song use can be said to have a Laurel Canyon sound.

Opener 'One Of Us' might verify that, very Poppy and with a synth and bass line you will have to wash out your ears later, plus what sounds like horns parping. 'Roll With The Punches' is nothing less than a Pop song, with (read this quickly) Maroon 5 intent. But then the title track is quite lovely spectral Indie, with a dancey backing and mournful solo. 'Less Than Five Miles Away' is laid-back acoustic storytelling and 'When The Tequila Runs Out' is almost Funky, almost Rap, a bit like Len (remember those one hit wonders?) which makes you sit up a bit.

This is all exceedingly well played and very accessible, taking us on a little meander around the styles. As a pleasing diversion it works very well, but there is nothing to grab you, nothing to make you keep coming back for more. Good open feel though and possible chart nestling fare; this is what some bands would want from any album. Is this a new push? Maybe. The feel around this band has been one of acceptable oddness, not chart goodness. As for their sound, it leaps around a bit but doesn't settle anywhere for long enough; good for a night but not suitable for a lifetime. Dawes may have a LC sound, but if Yacht Rock is too febrile for you, you might need a lie down.

Steve Swift