Album Review: The Dirty Nil – Master Volume

Master Volume is the latest instalment in The Dirty Nil‘s extensive catalogue of releases that has spanned a decade, their latest album signifies a shift in style where they are channelling, rather than unleashing, their raw power, this shift coincides with the addition of their recently acquired bass player, Ross Miller, to the trio. Another factor in the shift is that the album is produced by veteran alt-rock architect John Goodmanson, the result is that Master Volume is an album that crunches and grooves where the band once smashed and trashed.

 

That’s What heaven Feels Like opens the album in a style that is at the heart of The Dirty Nil‘s appeal, it’s a track that embraces elements of rock, garage, indie and punk that someone manages to satisfy fans of each genre, it’s simultaneously dirty, clean, angry and anthemic, a trick that not many can pull off. Every track carries the anguished vocal howl of the finest garage bands but it’s when you hit Please, Please Me that Master Volume truly gets into it’s stride, a track that contains all the high energy fury you could ask for in a sustained two minute blast. The Dirty Nil‘s latest album is one that ebbs and flows between the competing influences, but for me it’s the moments when they return to their primal roots that they truly shine.

 

With the release of Master Volume you get feeling that The Dirty Nil are midway through a transition from their previous full tilt approach into something that is more subtle, yet still manages to be recognisably The Dirty Nil. The band’s former approach still makes an appearance on Please, Please Me and Smoking is Magic, two tracks that carry their original raw spirit, but the majority of the album carries a more subtle approach that is more akin to a pumped up hybrid of early Oasis and The Foo Fighters, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

 

Master Volume can be pre-ordered on coloured vinyl and CD via Dine Alone Records here

 

You can pre-order Master Volume digitally via Bandcamp here