SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DIRTY HONEY – CAN’T FIND THE BRAKES

DIRTY HONEY
CAN’T FIND THE BRAKES
INDEPENDENT

Dirty Honey continues to raise the bar for new rock and independent artists alike. Their latest album builds upon the sound delivered on 2021’s full length, self-titled album – not to be confused with 2019’s self-titled EP – but demonstrates a more refined approach to their songwriting. It goes without saying that Can’t Find The Brakes is an essential rock record for 2023.

The album opens with the melodic musing of “Don’t Put Out The Fire” a song which, for an all too brief moment, connects the band to modern alternative rock with a sound reminiscent to City And Colour, before breaking into an irresistibly funky strut. Think Aerosmith in 1976, only groovier. In many ways, “Don’t Put Out The Fire” sets the tone for Can’t Find The Brakes, while also signifying a shift in the band’s sound as they continue to expand their range within their signature ‘70s rock vibe. If this leaves you concerned, the band has backed this with the album’s initial single, “Won’t Take Me Alive” a hard rocker that lives up to their previous albums and is exceptionally mixed and produced with electric lead lines and lush vocal harmonies effortlessly floating from speaker to speaker with a sense of subtly.

Can’t Find The Brakes continues on with the remaining nine tracks full of highlights. “Dirty Mind” is driven by a riff so sleazy that it would give Slash a reason to pause while “Roam” brings a modern sense of balladry for Marc LaBelle’s vocals to soar above. “Rebel Son” and “Ride On” dig deep into ‘70s blues rock while “Satisfied” and “Get A Little High” deliver high octane rock that grooves hard. Front to back, there is not a weak moment on Can’t Find The Brakes, making it, without a doubt, Dirty Honey’s strongest release to date.

Dirty Honey’s sound is deeply entrenched within that of ‘70s rock and, much like Rival Sons, they stand as one of the most exciting classic rock bands of today while avoiding the cliches that sound dated and prevent their originality from flying high. Can’t Find The Brakes feels like a point of culmination from their previous EP and record. The band sounds full of life as they hone their songwriting into further developed territory. Ultimately, Can’t Find The Brakes stands as their best record to date and should further demonstrate Dirty Honey as among the most promising and most thrilling rock bands of our time.

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