Garagedays
Passion of Dirt

A few years ago I got this album having a man that had died in Florida on its cover, it was an intriguing cover art. Who was this man? what was he doing in Florida? Was he born there? Would the autopsy provide any answer? Of course there was an album there, it was a strong album which proved strength and novelty while doing something very classical. A powerful prospect from the Austrian quartet. Now, a few years later, they find themselves with a new album out. Its an album with a less intriguing cover but the dark alley and its figures are still quite interesting. So what about the music then? is it also less intriguing?

I wouldn’t say that, I would claim that it is a logical continuation of what we got the first time. A fresher and more exciting vision of that same raw garage rock music we heard on the first album. Raw, powerful, angry, dirty and completely without regard for conventions and trends. The production is stronger, than on the first album meaning that it is a very strong production bringing out the best in the band’s sound. Marco Kern’s vocals work better this time, the song writing is very strong and while the band still has a classic hard rocking sound with a lot of rawness to it, they still manage to sound rather fresh and relevant. 44 minutes of playing time on ten tracks, ten tracks that shows a solid variation making it last well for the entire playing time. Quality production, like it was recorded in a high class garage.

Well, I am convinced. This is an album that is there for all who like real fucking rock ’n’ roll, I like it. I like it a lot. In all regards it is better than the debut album, the songs are better and as I touched on before, so is the production, sound and all of that. I wish it had the same kind of thought provoking cover artwork as the debut, but then again a book as not really its cover, is it? Impressive album is what it is, sure it is not quite good enough to reach our two highest ratings but it is surely an album that is worth recognition. They manage to make classic rock to sound fresh and exciting yet familiar, an album that breaks the trend of nostalgic rockers that pushes the déjà vu-button every chance they get. Thanks Garagedays for giving me the hope back, you can still make music that will appeal to the nostalgic but still sounds fresh and exciting, that is a feat to be proud of.

When thinking about the best songs I stumble upon this album’s only weakness, like that crooked hammer or something not quite working in the garage. The best songs are the opening ones, strong and very good but none of them stand out in the regard that they make that big and lasting impression. That is one thing I think is missing that one thing that gives the album a focal point, something that immediately comes to mind when hearing the name. Had that been there it would have been absolutely brilliant, not that it is much less brilliant now though. Just a small thing. It is however an album I want to recommend and I can also note that Garagedays is fast becoming a name synonymous with a mark of quality in the rawer kind of hardrock music. Well done guys!

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