The Dead Daisies – Revolucion (2015) Album Review
When I wrote about the band The Dead Daisies and their debut album almost a year ago, I had no idea that within just a year, this “supergroup” would release another album. Back then, they seemed like a group of very talented musicians who came together and played something for their own pleasure—more than ten songs that were, of course, later “turned into” an album. Since then, a lot has happened. Tours with Kiss and Def Leppard were more than successful, and the response from fans has been steadily increasing. Anyone who followed this band on social media could see it for themselves.
However, the biggest change that happened to this band in the meantime was none other than a change in the vocalist. And not just any vocalist, but John Corabi. The popular “Crab,” former singer of Motley Crue, Scream, and Union, agreed at the beginning of the year to join the band in creating a new album and going on an upcoming tour. With this change, the band not only gained another superstar in their lineup but also a first-class vocalist and musician who, one could argue, had been vastly underrated for years. Of course, this refers to his time with Motley Crue, during which he recorded one album and one EP with them. Back then, fans simply refused to accept him as a new Crue member, and Nikki Sixx himself admitted that it would have been better for the band’s lineup at the time to call themselves “a bucket full of worms” or anything else but Motley Crue, as that would have made more sense. Despite the phenomenal album from 1994, which Corabi had recently promoted in his own version just before joining The Dead Daisies, “old rascal” Vince Neil was irreplaceable when it came to Crue. After that, Corabi continued his solo career, which can be said to have had its ups and downs. The ’90s were tough for everyone, including Corabi, and there were plenty of personal issues as well. Now, he’s back in a strong lineup with well-known musicians, so the result was bound to be remarkable. The current lineup of the band is as follows: John Corabi – vocals, Richard Fortus – guitar, David Lowy – guitar, Marco Mendoza – bass, and Jackie Barnes – drums (played on the album), with Brian Tichy as the drummer for live performances.
As for the album itself, it is worth noting that it was entirely created in Cuba under the “producer’s baton” of Ben Grosse (Marilyn Manson, Sevendust). A very interesting choice of location for recording the album. Exotic, sunny, and lively Cuba. In fact, the band went to Cuba in collaboration with the Cuban Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Music, and the Rock Agency, with the goal of promoting and exchanging culture. Although it sounds a bit nerdy, The Dead Daisies managed to find time not only for cultural exchange but also for recording the album. In the end, when everything is summed up, it turns out that it all paid off because they delivered a more-than-good album to their fans. Of course, even the album’s title, which is in Spanish, is a result of their time in Cuba. A true little rock revolution.
The Cuban revolution begins with an excellent rock piece called “Mexico.” Guitars in the AC/DC style at the very beginning slowly lead into the song itself, and subsequently into the album, followed by Corabi’s explosive scream. Everything is ready, and the gang sets off to sunny Mexico. Positive tones, singable choruses, and lyrics that adorn this song also form the template on which the entire album is based. A great, great start to the album. This is also the single that was released along with a video. The next track is “Evil,” which exudes classic blues-rock riffs and represents a blend of modern and old styles. This is the first cover on the album, originally by Willie Dixon. It is one of two songs on which Brian Tichy recorded drums. The third track, “Looking For The One,” is a mid-tempo rocker characterized primarily by a hypnotic bass groove by Marco Mendoza, some subtle Latin percussion, and excellent vocal and guitar arrangements by the other band members. A fine summer tune, perfectly in line with the vibe this album as a whole provides. In the next track, “Empty Heart,” Corabi is joined by Australian singer-songwriter Jimmy Barnes. Unlike the previous songs, this one has a somewhat more serious tone with slightly darker harmonies, yet it is still a solid rock number with a catchy chorus, making it one of the album’s better tracks.
At number five is “Make The Best Of It,” which begins with very pleasant piano sections by Dizzy Reed, somewhat reminiscent of his performances during the Use Your Illusion era. However, the intro should not be misleading because shortly after, another rocking riff by Fortus and Lowy follows. It is both so simple and so often played yet sounds so fresh and new, complemented by a chorus where John Corabi once again gives a unique sound to this band. The solo sections are among the best on the album.
Next is “Something I Said,” a slightly more melancholic track—a fine and relaxing semi-ballad. However, the typical ballad clichés are cleverly avoided. The following song, “Get Up Get Ready,” shows that the band is ready to experiment. They prove to be top-notch and versatile musicians, delivering a genuine funky rock piece. “With You and I” then takes us back to a mid-tempo rocker, but this time enriched with a talkbox, which dominates the main riff throughout most of the song. At number nine, we find the first true ballad titled “Sleep,” where Corabi once again showcases the full extent of his vocal abilities. The tenth track, “My Time,” in which bassist Marco Mendoza takes the lead with his distorted bass, has a Deep Purple vibe due to the riffs and the combination of guitars, bass, and keyboard. The next song, “Midnight Moses,” is the second cover on the album. Originally by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, the Daisies’ version is excellent and fits seamlessly with the rest of the album’s tracks. “The Devil Out of Time,” which follows, is a faster-paced number and yet another quality rock piece. At the very end of this highly successful release is the track “Critical,” which was already mentioned in the text The Dead Daisies – Self-Titled Album + Face I Love EP and more. In every sense, it is the best song on the album and probably the band’s best song to date. The track simply has it all. A trippy intro combining keyboards and guitars transitions into a chorus that practically explodes with its power and memorability. The song now sounds even better with John Corabi in the band. Definitely the number one track by The Dead Daisies.
What can generally be said about this release is that it represents a step forward in the band’s career. Compared to the first album, the songs are primarily much more rocking, more direct, and better suited to the profile of these musicians. The music is still based on the sounds of the ’70s and ’80s, which The Dead Daisies masterfully create, adapted to modern times. In other words, the combination of old and modern is one of this band’s main attributes. As for the vocals, John Stevens also performed well on the first album—his skill is unquestionable—but John Corabi is simply in a class of his own. His presence on the album has greatly enhanced its quality and overall impression. With this lineup, The Dead Daisies are a band capable of great things. It’s also commendable that they managed to hold it together and make this album because we all know how “supergroups” usually end up. Hopefully, this won’t happen to these guys. They’re on the right track, and there’s a great opportunity to hear them live on November 22nd at Pionir Hall in Belgrade as the opening act for Whitesnake.
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