D-A-D
A Prayer for the Loud
AFM Records
2019
Danish Rockers D-A-D have been around for quite a while, more than three decades actually and they never really quit although they did go through a period when their punkish energy helped them endure more than their rock credentials (during the 90s).
While they never broke up (playing gig and the odd summer fest) the band didn’t release any material for most of the 10s with the previous and unpronounceable album “DIC·NII·LAN·DAFT·ERD·ARK” (it’s meant to sound like Disneyland After Dark – the band’s original name) having been released some eight years back.
So, is the eight year waiting period between albums “justified”? That’s a little difficult to answer. D-A-D is still of course D-A-D, maybe a little older, but seemingly none the wiser. Their stripped-down punkish rock ‘n roll is easily likable, but whether it’s charm can be long lasting, is another matter entirely.
“Burning Star”, the album opener, is a nifty rocker driven by a neat riff, with some inspired vocal melody during the chorus making it come together.
Next up, the title track, “A Prayer for the Loud”, seems to burn slowly its boogie/blues rock fuse, until it explodes in a celebratory chorus that once again saves the day.
“Nothing Ever Changes” has a nice grungy riff, that’s pretty repetitious, but doesn’t tire, since the song doesn’t really try to over complicate things and quickly delivers its payload.
“The Sky is Made of Blues” is more laid back, with Jesper’s singing being a little more focused, it’s a nice “breather” I s’ppose?!
“The Real Me” attempts to echo the band’s past glories, with its open chords, but suffers a bit in the chorus department.
“No Doubt About It” occupies the same grungy mid-tempo as many other songs here, with also mixed results, as it doesn’t seem to have the necessary conviction to keep things rolling smoothly, despite a nice RnR solo in there.
“A Drug for the Heart” is a whiskey soaked ballad that allows the album to slow down to a still, so it can try to get its ducks back in order with the rowdy “Musical Chairs” something that sounds like a mix between AC/DC and early Motorhead... I guess.
“Time is a Train” has a swanky locomotive riff and swims in the same, whiskey infected waters as most of the rest of the tunes of this album do.
“Happy Days in Hell” picks up the slack, with a slightly faster tempo and a more classic (rocking) D-A-D vibe, it actually sounds like vintage Aerosmith, or something of that ilk, till the band comes up with a pretty brilliant chorus that again is right on the money.
Last but not least, “If the World Just” is a slow poke song, not exactly a ballad, maybe a half ballad, a beautifully poignant, powerful slow son … with thought provoking lyrics and a nice solo that actually ends it in spectacular fashion.
If you’ve liked D-A-D in the past, “A Prayer for the Loud” won’t disappoint you, but the younger audience, might just not get it… still it’s solid. Rock solid…
While they never broke up (playing gig and the odd summer fest) the band didn’t release any material for most of the 10s with the previous and unpronounceable album “DIC·NII·LAN·DAFT·ERD·ARK” (it’s meant to sound like Disneyland After Dark – the band’s original name) having been released some eight years back.
So, is the eight year waiting period between albums “justified”? That’s a little difficult to answer. D-A-D is still of course D-A-D, maybe a little older, but seemingly none the wiser. Their stripped-down punkish rock ‘n roll is easily likable, but whether it’s charm can be long lasting, is another matter entirely.
“Burning Star”, the album opener, is a nifty rocker driven by a neat riff, with some inspired vocal melody during the chorus making it come together.
Next up, the title track, “A Prayer for the Loud”, seems to burn slowly its boogie/blues rock fuse, until it explodes in a celebratory chorus that once again saves the day.
“Nothing Ever Changes” has a nice grungy riff, that’s pretty repetitious, but doesn’t tire, since the song doesn’t really try to over complicate things and quickly delivers its payload.
“The Sky is Made of Blues” is more laid back, with Jesper’s singing being a little more focused, it’s a nice “breather” I s’ppose?!
“The Real Me” attempts to echo the band’s past glories, with its open chords, but suffers a bit in the chorus department.
“No Doubt About It” occupies the same grungy mid-tempo as many other songs here, with also mixed results, as it doesn’t seem to have the necessary conviction to keep things rolling smoothly, despite a nice RnR solo in there.
“A Drug for the Heart” is a whiskey soaked ballad that allows the album to slow down to a still, so it can try to get its ducks back in order with the rowdy “Musical Chairs” something that sounds like a mix between AC/DC and early Motorhead... I guess.
“Time is a Train” has a swanky locomotive riff and swims in the same, whiskey infected waters as most of the rest of the tunes of this album do.
“Happy Days in Hell” picks up the slack, with a slightly faster tempo and a more classic (rocking) D-A-D vibe, it actually sounds like vintage Aerosmith, or something of that ilk, till the band comes up with a pretty brilliant chorus that again is right on the money.
Last but not least, “If the World Just” is a slow poke song, not exactly a ballad, maybe a half ballad, a beautifully poignant, powerful slow son … with thought provoking lyrics and a nice solo that actually ends it in spectacular fashion.
If you’ve liked D-A-D in the past, “A Prayer for the Loud” won’t disappoint you, but the younger audience, might just not get it… still it’s solid. Rock solid…