The Dirty Nil
Higher Power
Dine Alone Records
For the better part of a decade, The Dirty Nil has been chipping away a monolith of a rock band. Theyβve been patiently releasing 7β singles, an EP, and an ongoing fan club exclusive series of singles and covers. Theyβve cut their teeth touring across Canada and the U.S., hitting up every shithole DIY space and festival slot they can get their hands on and generally working their asses off to become one of the best honest-to-god rock βnβ roll bands in the country.
The bandβs first full length, Higher Power, captures the confidence and charisma of a young Marlon Brando and the appearance and smell of a present dayΒ Macaulay Culkin.Β Itβs pretty scuzzy, but boy does it ever rip.
Although vocalist/guitarist Luke BenthamβsΒ mucuosyΒ wail is the hallmark of the bandβs sound, what makes Higher Power that much better is vocalist/bassist Dave Nardiβs atonal snarl. Nardi is Nick Oliveri to Benthamβs Josh Homme. Standouts like βLowlivesβ and βFugue Stateβ are the albumβs βTension Headβ and βSix Shooter,β and allow the trio to flex a different set of muscles.
Thereβs a few older tracks that were re-recorded for Higher Power (“Zombie Eyed,” “Wrestle YΓΌ To HΓΌsker DΓΌ” and βBruto Bloody Bruto” have all appeared on previous releases), but they could have easily released a singles compilation, slapped a major indie labelβs name on it and called it a day, as all of these tracks are just as vitriolic, anthemic and charming as ever.
And thatβs not to say the new material doesnβt measure up. Drummer Kyle Fisher pounds his way through the wonderfully dynamic βKnow Your Rodent,β and βHelium Dreamerβ is an interesting venture into post-hardcore dysphoria, ostensibly a nod to co-producer Shehzaad Jiwaniβs band, Greys.
According to the that bandβs website, The Dirty Nil writes music βfor dive bars and house parties – for beer drinking and joint smoking – for road trips and barbecuesβ which makes sense, because this record is weekend warrior music, through and through.Β Higher Power is Bob Seger, Ray-Bans and Tom Cruise sliding around his parents’ house in his underwear for millennials, celebratory rock that doesnβt want to have to deal with Monday right now.
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SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE DIRTY NIL – HIGHER POWER
Marko Woloshyn