It was love at first sight (listen) when I first laid my ears on the self-titled debut album from Dan Reed Network back in 1988. The band released two great albums more – Slam (1989) and The Heat (1991) – before the band called it quits in 1993. After that it was quiet from Dan Reed for many years. He formed a new band called Adrenaline Sky who released an independent grunge-laden album of live-tracks back in 1998 but nothing came out that. Thankfully, because that record wasn’t all that much to write home about. Except for a live album, Live At Last: Halfway Around The World released in 1997, it would take until 2010 before any musical signs of life would show up from Dan Reed with the terrific solo album Coming Up For Air.
Since then Reed has released three more solo records and he has also reunited Dan Reed Network, much to my joy. After a few years of touring it was decided that Reed, guitarist Brion James, bassist Melvin Brannon II, drummer Daniel Pred and keyboardist Blake Sakamoto would release a new album. That said, tensions between Reed and Sakamoto made further collaborations impossible and Sakamoto left the band with Rob Daiker coming along as the replacement. The five-piece released the reunion album Fight Another Day in 2016, to mixed reviews for some reason. I loved the album. The follow-up Origins (2018) however was a bit underwhelming as it was a mixture of new tracks and re-recorded old ones.
The band’s new effort is, according to Reed, the heaviest, funkiest and the most melodic DRN album to date. Intriguing and very interesting to say the least – I really couldn’t wait to hear what the guys had come up with this time. Opener and single “Pretty Karma” really gives Reed right on said comment. It’s a heavy and upbeat rocker with a darker touch and an almost dystopian feel. It’s edgy, rough and powerful with gritty guitars and a pounding rhythm. However, it’s not as funky as they used to be but it do hold Reed’s very personal vocal-melodies and yes, it’s damn melodic too with a chorus that sticks right from go without being the least radio-friendly. Brilliant.
Coming across as a crossing between the debut and The Heat albeit with a darker feel, “The Ghost Inside” brings on a massive groove and a heavier and ballsier foundation and an immense live-feel. The song comes with a beefy riff on a solid, funky beat with lots of edge and attitude and infectious melodies all over which culminates in a massive refrain that can move mountains. Brilliant. Leading single “Starlight” is more of a meaty and driven heavy-rock number that comes across as a funky version of AC/DC with a monster riff and a rhythm that makes it impossible to stand still even for a split second. The chorus, catchier than Covid, is funky and holds a swing groovy enough to make your head spin. How awesome.
“Supernova” goes classic DRN on us, highly funky, stompy and even danceable with more graveling guitars, fat keyboards and a rhythm-section going bananas with Brannon’s bass-lines insanely swinging. The vocal-melodies screams Dan Reed all the way with hooks sharp and spicy and another chorus to die for. Great stuff indeed. On a heavier note, the title-track is slower in tempo, darker and harder yet with some upbeat passages. James’ guitar is a wall of rowdiness and grit yet with memorable melodies and the edgy rhythm section is thunderous. There’s a bluesy touch to it as well with a synth-brass thing going on. There are some poppier hooks in there too especially in the chorus. The song might be something of a grower but when it sticks it sure do stick. A real killer.
On a ballad note, “I See Angels” is more low-key and down-beat. Written by James, the song is calming and mellow, it’s a feelgood number yet with darker undertones. The vocal melodies bears resemblance to Reed’s solo-stuff, quite smooth and delicate. It’s an easily embraced tune that’ll probably work better on record than as a live tune. I really dig this one. A slow-burner yet not quite a ballad, latest single “Homegrown” brings on a bombastic pop-vibe. Heavy guitar riffing over a souly atmosphere brings on nice contrasts and the refrain is very catchy albeit not in a radio-pop way. Good stuff.
“Stumble” takes the 70’s Classic Rock route with some inserted funkiness into the groove with some big, chunky riffage and a juicy stompy beat. The classic DRN swagger is very prominent as well and the two blends just fine. The main melody is quite in your face with a glueing refrain that’s quite hummable without reaching for a hit-flirt. Very good. “Just Might Get It” comes in mid tempo but also brings on a massive, live-friendly groove and an even more massive pop-hook in the refrain, a refrain that’s immediate and shout-along accessible perfect for the stage. The whole tune is a throwback to classic DRN yet with a modern approach. Brilliant stuff indeed – and the hit-potential here is huge. Should be a single.
The upbeat “Where’s The Revolution” is a direct, uptempo and heavy rocker, melodic yet quite aggressive. The song comes across as an old-school DRN rocker – rhythmic, funky and groovy with an organic outlook but with a heavier, more hard-rocking approach and another chorus with some hooky, sing-along pleading melodies. Good stuff. And talk about being written for the stage – “Are You Ready” is a rough-edged, upbeat and punchy rocker with a swinging groove. It’s a driven, fist-pumping stomper with a big call-and -response chorus that will have any festival-crowd out there on its feet. What’s not to dig about that, huh?
The lyrically bang-on-target “Unfuck My World” holds a foundation that’s 70’s Classic Rock but brings a whole lot of different influences to the table. Mixing up the Led Zeppelin influenced riffs and beats with acoustic guitars and electronica there’s also a bluesy feel to the song with some Western flirting grooves with vocal-melodies reminiscent of Reed’s solo stuff on top all of which brings on a dynamic contrast. The chorus catches on without sounding the least hit-searching. Good one. DRN closes the album in an epic way with almost eight minutes long “Last Day On Saturn”. It’s a bit dark with a spacey and dreamy atmosphere – a bit Pink Floyd smelling. It’s a prog-laden number with a trippy side to it. It holds ballady segments as well as heavy, punchy and rhythmic parts. It’s an unpredictable tune miles away from “Rainbow Child” and “Get To You” but it’s unmistakable the same band. This one might need a few spins to win one over but when it does, it sure damn does. Very good.
The heaviest, funkiest and the most melodic DRN record to date? Well, it’s the heaviest without a doubt but DRN was always very funky and melodic and this record is no exception. What it is though, is DRN keeping everything that ever was DRN but still stepping out of their box soundwise – and it sure holds more darkness than what we’re used to. I mean, look at the cover, it looks more like a Death Metal cover than a DRN one. Still the album is uplifting and mostly positive and every song here will work out great live and with not a bad song in sight it’s easy to state that DRN has released one helluva record here. I tip my hat off to the guys and say: please keep them coming.
8/10
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Tracklist:
1. Pretty Karma
2. The Ghost Inside
3. Starlight
4. Supernova
5. Let’s Hear It For The King
6. I See Angels
7. Homegrown
8. Stumble
9. Just Might Get It
10. Where’s The Revolution
11. Are You Ready?
12. Unfuck My World
13. Last Day On Saturn
CD & Festival reviews 