Remember the good old days of the LP? Five tracks on Side 1, five tracks on Side 2 and a running time of circa 35 minutes? For me, the problem with a lot of albums today is that they simply go on way too long. In the CD age bands seem to feel they have to utilize all of the available space and this leads to a drop in quality; generally towards the end with the ‘best’ songs having been front loaded. 

Well with ‘Dirty Hearts’ Aussie rockers Dallas Crane have come up with an album that would fit perfectly onto black vinyl and features an outstanding set of songs that harks back to the days of Bon Scott led AC/DC, Classic 70’s Aerosmith and even Rod Stewart (and before you run a mile I mean good Rod Stewart i.e. when he was with Ron Wood and recording classic albums like ‘Gasoline Alley’). The whole thing is given an Aussie twist and sense of humour that means whilst it may have its roots in the past, the album also has a very modern sound and feel. 

Formed in Melbourne a decade ago Dallas Crane have enjoyed considerable success in their homeland, with a couple of mainstream hits and having built a loyal following via a gruelling gig schedule. The hard work paid off when they were picked up by Albert Productions, also home to AC/DC, and now they are preparing to launch in the UK and Europe. This album should see them achieve precisely that. The title track ‘Dirty Hearts’ is a joyous start, an infectious riff and hook that is equal parts rock, blues and R&B, quickly followed by ‘Numb All Over’, a driving bass line that harks back to The Clash and ‘London Calling’. 

‘Can’t Work You Out’ and ‘Lovers and Sinners’ will have you up and dancing around the kitchen (honest!) and would both be perfect potential singles, each being three minutes or thereabouts and are instantly memorable, lots of catchy hooks and sing-a-long choruses. In truth, in a different era, any of the 10 songs here could be hits; there really is not a bad one amongst them. 

I really can’t recommend this album highly enough and so it gets my first perfect score of the year……10 out of 10. 

The ‘Dirty Hearts’ album is released on 21^st August 2006 on Albert Productions UK.

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Track List

Dirty Hearts
Numb All Over
Can't Work You Out
Lovers & Sinners
Mine Mine Mine
Come Clean
Sit On My Knee
Colour The Black Of My Heart
Out In Space
Wrong Party

Line Up

Dave Larkin - Vocals/Guitar
Pete Satchell - Guitar/Vocals
Pat Bourke - Bass
Shan Vanderwert - Drums