Punk Legends Redefine Rock’s Edges

Read Time:3 Minute, 30 Second

VINYL ALBUM REVIEW
The Dwarves – Concept Album

Genre: Alternative, punk
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 37m
Where To Listen: available November 17, 2023; pre-order here www.dwarves.merchtable.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Embarking on THE DWARVES CONCEPT ALBUM was like jumping into the unknown; having no familiarity before listening to the album, I enjoyed a proper blind listen and couldn’t be more thrilled! The Dwarves have delivered a performance where each chord, lyric, and beat comes alive with the energy that explodes off the vinyl. This isn't just an assembly of tracks; it's a punk rock odyssey.

The Dwarves craft an album where each song stands on its merit and contributes to a larger, dynamic story. This high-octane escapade through punk's essence is brought to life with a cast of characters that could fill a marquee. The narrative prowess of the album ensures that from the opening riff, listeners are hooked, and the intrigue doesn't wane until the final note fades. My favorite musical experience is when an album feels like one continuous journey, and that's precisely what this was, with the only break occurring when I had to flip the vinyl over.

The percussive storytelling is a backbone throughout this experience, pacing the album with the intensity of a high-speed car chase. I’ve always been a fan of the punk genre, from the Ramones, Sex Pistols, Dead Kennedys, NOFX, The Pogues, and even more mainstream artists like Green Day, Dropkick Murpheys, and Alkaline Trio, so I was thrilled to get to dip my toes into an artist that I wasn’t familiar with already!

The album's storytelling is a potent auditory spectacle, consistent but unique from one track to the next. Shout out to Gigi Gustin, who graces the cover in a photograph by F. Scott Schafer, channeling the vibe of a vintage poster that promises an adventure worthy of the hype.

These artists have been setting stages ablaze since their Midwestern genesis, transforming into scene-stealers in San Francisco's eclectic '80s movement. Their storied history is worthy of a feature-length film with a soundtrack by themselves, cementing their legacy in the annals of punk rock lore.

The band transformed from raw and uncut garage punk to a high-definition hardcore spectacle. This evolution is a thread throughout their career, with compilations like 'Lick It (the psychedelic years 83-86)' as a flashback to their early days, giving context to their current artistry. I can’t wait to explore the depths of their extensive catalog.

The Dwarves have always been a revolving ensemble of punk rock pioneers, with stalwarts like Blag Dahlia and HeWhoCannotBeNamed guiding the narrative. Today, their sound is a montage of their early grit, blended with the defiant poetics of scum punk and the catchy, upbeat tempo of pop punk – a composition that keeps their rebel yell echoing through the halls of punk history.

THE DWARVES CONCEPT ALBUM is a testament to The Dwarves' relentless pursuit of innovation and their indomitable presence in the punk rock scene. This album is not just a collection of tracks; it's a movement, a story that unfolds with raw authenticity. It's a punk rock narrative that promises to keep listeners on the edge from the opening drop to the grand finale.

Track Listing:
Blast On
Feeling Great
Voodoo
Terrorist of Love
Ages Ago
Dead To Me
Do It All The Time
Nobody and Me
Everybody Squirts
Kill or Be Killed
Roxette
You Lose, We Win
Parasite
Come Unglued
We Will Dare
Lean
Ain't Playin'
Sixteen
Stabbed My Dad
All For You

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[cover courtesy of THE DWARVES, GREEDY MEDIA, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]