Dirty Fuss: American Animals Album Review

By Tanner Meadows
Music Journalist

Artist: Dirty Fuss
Album: American Animals
Release Date: March 3, 2019
Website: https://www.dirtyfuss.com/

Dirty Fuss is a rock band; no more, no less. Their sound seems nostalgic for a period/style of rock that kind of feels like it’s just finished wrapping up, e.g., Cage The Elephant or Jack White (the first two bands listed under the group’s ‘artists we also like’ tab on Facebook). That being said, they do what they do well. Their debut record, American Animals, showcases the band’s capacity to play bluesy rock with a little bit of twangy Nashville dirtiness. At no point while listening to the album did I think I was listening to a bad band, but it isn’t the most unique record I’ve ever heard. However, it’s still impressive, especially for a self-recorded album, and I suppose there will always be room in the world for rock bands.

Guitar work is central to the genre, and this record is no exception. The solos have a classic rock feel, and almost every song seems structured around them, while the bits in between the verse and chorus oscillate from indie alt to a heavier sound, it’s all rock at the end of the day. The guitars are the driving force of the album. However, Dirty Fuss excels when the pace is slowed on their more relaxed tracks. The third track, “All the Pieces,” for instance, stands out. Contrarily, “Velveteen” sticks out as an especially noteworthy song because it is so energetic. The tracks tend to blend together into a powerful mix of styles that are distinct enough but ultimately fall under the banner of rock.

Overall, American Animals is a well executed record and any song off of it can stand on its own as a solid track, but there isn’t a sound that hasn’t already been heard. Fresh, straight rock is what a lot of people want, and if one was to encounter Dirty Fuss in the wild, at a bar or what have you, the live performance would have a great energy. It is strictly a rock record; it’s good, but it isn’t new.