We Have You Surrounded
We Have You Surrounded gives the Dirtbombs' garage rock a more anxious undertone. Rhythms remain forceful and Mick Collins preserves his rough soul voice, but worries about technology and a world approaching collapse sit behind the enjoyment. The music refuses to stand still in response. It answers with distorted guitars, danceable movements and considerable stubbornness.
Ever Lovin' Man preserves the band's direct force. Its combination of soul feeling and garage attack needs little explanation. I Hear The Sirens also works from a recognisable, firm foundation. When the musicians keep their attention on the song, their sound is convincing enough to engage without major experiments. The best direct performances still have plenty of character.
Wreck My Flow heads more deliberately towards the dance floor. A disco beat and sharp electronic sounds make its setting less familiar. That provides variety, although the repeated vocal line becomes rather stiff. The move into another groove works better than every individual idea surrounding it. There is value in the change even when the result feels awkward.
Sherlock Holmes lets the band pull a Sparks song towards their own line-up. Fire In The Western World fits the album's heavier unrest well. Leopardman At C&A brings its threat further forward. These different influences suit Collins' broad interests without pushing the Dirtbombs' identity aside. Their familiar force connects otherwise varied material.
Not every development deserves this much space. Race To The Bottom lasts over eight minutes and exchanges much of the song-focused playing for loose noise and effects. It interrupts momentum more than it adds tension. The album consequently remains uneven despite its strong moments. We Have You Surrounded has a convincing sound and enough worthwhile ideas. Greater selection would have made that anxiety more effective.
