The Drams - Jubilee Dive Album Review

The Drams
Jubilee Dive
Album Review

Somewhere, in that honest space where bands like the Gin Blossoms used to crank out straight rock built upon the best of melodies, there are musicians still making great rock and roll.

Brent Best, veteran singer-songwriter of the band Slobberbone, has crafted here a much more accessible, and downright enjoyable album than he managed before, with rolling anthems sitting comfortably next to balladry, in a way that fans of the Drive By Truckers would recognise, although here there is perhaps a greater nod to British pop like XTC or even the Kinks.

Jubilee Dive is perhaps ultimately a great bar band album, but in the best way possible - it rocks with abandon, intensity and purpose. This album is far from fashionable - even its length, at 15 songs and 70+ minutes, is unusual these days - and sounds as far from hair gel and music video choreography as it is possible to get, but when Brent Best tops the work he did with Slobberbone, there is cause to celebrate.

Rating 8/10

Mike Rea