A worthy addition to any rock album collection.
Russ "Dwarf" Graham has been in the music business since 1981, when he co-founded the Killer Dwarfs which went on to gain international fame and a fair number of hits from its debut album. A tour with Iron Maiden was followed by the cutting of the iconic 1986 album 'Stand Tall' and the later 'Dirty Weapons' which spawned the hit 'Doesn't Matter'. The follow up album in 1991, 'Method To The Madness', also reaped some success.
This album, as the name cleverly suggests, is an acoustic recap of Russ' more successful songs but it would be a mistake to think it is a limp unplugged "best of" offering. This is a high octane blues-rock album which reinterprets his songs of yesteryear, and it is clear Russ is not resting on his laurels.
Russ' distinctive voice comes to life immediately with the opening track 'Keep The Spirit Alive'; it certainly grabs the attention, as does the superb musicianship of Glenn Belcher (guitars) and Rob Zakojc (bass). This is certainly a band that could do this live and with the help of a number of guest musicians, the recording certainly has a live feel to it.
'Startin' To Shine' really does shine in this album with its sublimely catchy hook and tasteful backing vocals from Zakojc. The before mentioned 'Doesn't Matter' works very well with the stripped down arrangement and the introduction of subtle keyboards courtesy of Cosimo Crupi.
The intensity of the album on tracks such as 'Look Around' and the more ballad oriented 'Driftin' Back' is such that it is easy to forget this is an acoustic album. This is not a gimmick but a platter of simplified but sung to the max songs. 'Wireless' should be a worthy addition to any rock album collection.
Rob McKenzie
Subscribe to this comment's feed
