I was not disappointed.

Friday, I bought "Elvis Club" by the Del Lords.  It was kind of a torturous decision.  Should I buy it should I wait.  Would it match the passion, and anger of "Johnny Comes Marching Home" or the disillusioned melancholy of "Based on a True Story," would it be The Del Lords I remembered?  I listened to those old albums, looking for guidance, and they seemed to say "give it a go," so I did and it was great advice.

After one weekend with the album I am very grateful for the purchase.  The Del Lords have not lost their edge, they have matured a bit perhaps, but they have not mellowed and they still rock and roll.  The premise is still a hammering, concussive back beat, with driving, thrashing guitars and angry, yearning lyrics.  And you know what, that kind of anger is a beautiful thing, it is cathartic, and it reminds a person that there are still important things in life.  That is still time to live, and to leave the growing old to someone else.

It is not a retread of music already made, it is a new album with a new sound and plenty of fight all on it's own.  But, it is still a walk down a path that has led to many surprising discoveries.  If you don't understand that bit, it is ok, I wrote it and I don't get it, but it sounded all music review, so I left it.  Hey, if you're going to write a critique it might as well sound a little ethereal, right.

Call this music what you want, Americana, roots rock, rock-a-billy, it doesn't matter to me, (I just call it rock and roll).  Just check it out, enjoy the music, and then you can thank me later.  When we all step into the land of the cool and the crazy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK7TMttLQ6E

Oh, and by the way, stop The Del Lords Facebook page, and tell them it is time to start working on the next album, they will listen to you, you have such kind eyes.

Finally some good news.

Today, I took the plunge and bought the new Del Lords album, "Elvis Club."  Sometime in the late 1980's I bought "Johnny Comes Marching Home."  A powerful collection of hopeful despair, and joyful bitterness, for my confused state, and aimless existence at the time it was tonic for a troubled soul.  One song would leave you believing there were better days ahead, and the next would lead you into a dark night of dying love and depression.  And I was hooked.

It was terrible news when they broke up.  It really made me sad.  But, then I read they were re-uniting, and I started following them, on Facebook, it was like finding a lost friend, and I have to say, they were very engaging, and forthcoming on their wall, conversing with fans, and updating progress.  It was so refreshing.

Then the album was released, and I was hesitant to make the purchase.  What if it wasn't a good as hoped, what if age had mellowed the band.  I listened several times, and it was great.


So, today I bought the album.  And it is fantastic.  It was a long time coming, and it will be on all the way home from work tonight.  And I will "play it loud enough to hear it for miles and miles."

Thank you, Del Lords, you guys really rock!  If you decide to release another album that might not be a bad idea.