Dirty Honey
Dirty Honey keep their first full-length album focused on the essentials. There are eight songs, plenty of guitar, and a voice with the rasp and reach to match the riffs. The Los Angeles band draw openly from classic hard rock, but the playing has enough ease to make the record enjoyable without a complicated new idea behind it.
California Dreamin' starts with a strong chorus and a confident guitar sound. Marc LaBelle's voice gives the melody some roughness, keeping the polished arrangement from becoming too neat. The band make a direct introduction, with no long build-up before the song shows what it can do.
The Wire puts more emphasis on the groove. The guitar has a rhythmic bite, while LaBelle pushes his voice into a higher, more forceful register. It is a familiar kind of rock performance, but the parts fit together well. The song leaves enough space for the rhythm section to matter alongside the singer and guitarist.
Take My Hand is another highlight because of its sharp main riff. The band do not need to complicate the arrangement around it. Guitar, bass and drums work towards the same result, making the music feel tight rather than crowded. The performances have character without turning every available moment into a solo.
Another Last Time offers a slower, bluesier finish. The more relaxed movement gives the guitar and voice a different setting, and the change is welcome after the more direct rock songs. It also shows that the band can pull back without losing their identity. The album ends with room to breathe rather than one more attempt to raise the volume.
Originality is the obvious limitation. The vocal shapes, guitar tones and song structures all belong to a well-established tradition, and not every track has the same strong hook. Yet the short programme keeps those weaknesses from becoming a larger problem. Dirty Honey succeed through clear songwriting, a convincing groove and musicians who sound comfortable working together. For listeners who want compact hard rock with a blues foundation, this is a satisfying starting point.
