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| | Dirtie Blonde | | | Music Artist : | | Dirtie Blonde | | Music Style : | | General | | Record Label : | | Jive | | Release Date : | | 2006-05-16 | | Store Price : | | $7.99 | | Artistopia's Price: $7.98 | | Usually ships in 24 hours | | |
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CD Tracks/Songs
Disc 11. Walk Over Me
2. Outta My Bed
3. Officially In Love
4. Change The Water
5. Bend Over
6. Hard Times
7. Karna Boy
8. What You Want
9. Shut Up
10. My Pride
11. Lonely
12. Stay
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Other Artist Albums
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Customer Reviews of This Album/CD |
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 Down South FUN
Submitted on: 2007-03-11 |
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So I came across Dirtie through myspace and I ahve to say I'm glad I did, gave me a chance to preview some of thier tracks before getting the album.
Her voice is instantly likeable, the growl to it and the twang mix with the country/rock sound, think Alanis (obvious I know) mixed in with the Dixie Chicks when they're really angry!
Favourite songs on the album so far Shut Up, so damn catchy, and the Walk Over Me, the brittle of her voice at the end of the song just brilliant.
I had to wait three wekks and a bit to get the album but Australia is a hell of a long way from America but definately worth the grueling wait. |
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 12 Good Songs, but this could have even been better
Submitted on: 2007-01-27 |
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My first exposure to the band Dirtie Blonde came when I saw them open for Inxs in the Spring of 2006. Inxs had recently had Rockstar Inxs runner-up Marty Casey (along with his band the Lovehammers) as the opening band. Being a veteran band, Inxs has often looked for an up and coming band to open for them. Like Marty Casey and Lovehammers, Dirtie Blonde showed signs of promise. However like Marty Casey and Lovehammers, their material doesn't show a lot of innovation. The music found on the debut album "Dirtie Blonde" seems to follow the same formula that many other bands in the 2000s are following - resulting in what for all practical purposes is a "cookie cutter" sound.
In the 1980s, the pop music landscape got littered with synth-pop - synthesizer and keyboard-laden sounds. The 1990s music landscape saw Alternative Rock begin to basically become part of the mainstream music fold. However, Alternative Rock also began to produce many other off-shoots. This was because there was a perception that groups such as "Nirvana" and "Gin Blossoms" would "sell out" to commercial culture. Alternative Rock began to incorporate a more natural guitar-laden sound emphasizing both electric and acoustic guitars. The 2000s are now seeing bands nearly eliminate the use of keyboards and synthesizers. Marty Casey and Lovehammers do not have a keyboardist - Dirtie Blonde does not have a keyboardist. I consider this an alarming trend. At the same time, more and more the bass instrument is being de-emphasized. One thing that I really liked about 70s and 80s music was how the Bass was often used as a lead instrument - and how well the bassist would play in step with the drummer. John Deacon of Queen wasn't afraid to play the bass as the lead and neither is Garry Gary Beers of Inxs. The bands of the 2000s do carry bass players - and this is the case of Marty Casey and Lovehammers as well as Dirtie Blonde. However in both bands, for all practical purposes - they are relegated to the background.
This brings us to the band Dirtie Blonde. Dirtie Blonde most likely gets their name as a result of their lead singer Amie Miriello - who happens to have blonde hair. However it isn't Miriello's hair color that is going to be the distinguishing factor for Dirtie Blonde. At times Miriello employs a vocal style similar to Alanis Morrissette - that being a raspy style. Like Morrissette, this vocal style takes a while to get used to, but eventually this style is one that you can get used to. At the same time, Miriello shows she can beyond the Morrissette mold - even employing an R&B sound. The rest of the band however doesn't have a distinguishing factor. The band employs two guitarists - Jay Dmuchowski and Sean Kipe; a bassist in Dean Moore, and a drummer in Tim Perez. The band isn't bad, but there just isn't anything that I feel elevates these musicians. In other words, I don't think we are going to see the next coming of Brian May, Flea, or John Bohnam from this lot. This isn't to say that the supporting band members are bad. A lot has to do that the sound is this cookie-cutter sound that has become so prevalent for the 2000s sound. Miriello contributes to the songwriting of each of the 12 songs (with two other songwriting partners). The remaining members of the band do not contribute to the songwriting. The packaging of the album doesn't help much either - it is Miriello's picture that is plastered all over the liner notes, not the other band members. Dirtie Blonde is taking a risky strategy. With Miriello clearly getting the promo - and with Miriello being the distinguishing factor both vocally and lyrically, I could easily see her going solo. Miriello could easily become the next big female vocalist.
The music on "Dirtie Blonde" can best be described as the type of music that won't grab you right away. However, as you listen to the songs, they will slowly grow on you. In fact, the songs are going to become catchy. Songs such "Walk Over Me", "Outta My Bed", and "Bend Over" eventually had me singing along to them after a few listens. The positives are that there are no bad songs on this collection. So while it may seem like I'm being over critical of this band, when you produce an album with 12 good songs, there is something to be said. That being said, perhaps with some tweaking - this could have been a great album. This album could have benefited from "toning and polishing" the sound just a bit.
"Walk Over Me" is the best-known song on the album. This is the opening track. This song and "Officially in Love" reminded me the most of Alanis Morrissette when I heard Miriello's vocals. The best track on the album is "Bend Over". While I wouldn't rate it as one of the stronger songs on this collection from a lyrical standpoint, this is a catchy song that showcases the potential that Dirtie Blonde can have. Other standout songs include "Outta My Bed", "Hard Times", "What You Want" , "Shut Up", and "My Pride" . Miriello goes beyond the raspy vocals on tracks such as "Karma Boy", "Shut Up" and "My Pride". These songs demonstrate an R&B vocal-flair to them.
The liner notes include all of the lyrics to the songs. As mentioned, Dirtie Blonde shows a lot of potential. They could easily build upon the sound. This band could really benefit from bringing in a true "home run" musician that can elevate the sound. There also isn't more harm in emphasizing the bass and perhaps bringing in a keyboard player. One way or another it is going to be Amie Miriello that is going to emerge as the star from this collection. I'd still recommend checking out this album. |
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If you need, I could throw it in your face (3.5)
Submitted on: 2006-11-12 |
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Dirtie Blonde, quite honestly, isn't the best thing I've heard lately. However, they sound like they're having a lot of fun throughout the duration and Amie is possibly one of the cockiest frontwomen I've heard since Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Cocky isn't a bad thing when describing either singer either. Amie just seems so sure of her voice that she's not afraid to experiment, which no doubt equals a better overall feel. Having given the due praise, I do have to admit that Dirtie Blonde could stand to work on more original melodies and better lyricism. Of course this could go hand in hand with the 'fun' attribute this CD has going for it though.
At the risk of comparing, I have to. Dirtie Blonde, much like The Sounds, know when to rock out and have a good time as seen in songs like Walk Over Me, Hard Times, and even What You Want. However, they also know how and when to slow things down a bit as seen in Officially In Love, Bend Over, and My Pride. The one thing that truly bothers me about Dirtie Blonde, though, is the fact that they are, at points, much too poppy. Pop is fine and dandy but if you have four other members (guy members at that) you're promoting you should at least have some harder moments that make use of a full band. That's not the case.
The opening track, Walk Over Me, serves as the perfect introduction to DB's type of music. Officially In Love is kinda lame but I can't help but like Amie's vocals throughout. Bend Over has the sing-along feel going strong for it, especially in the chorus. Karma Boy has a bit of a bluesy attribute to it through the verses which turns to a downplayed pop/rock chorus. What You Want and Shut Up act as the album's two best tracks. What You Want is a chorus driven song that serves Amie's vocals amazingly. Shut Up starts off as a ballad but has a lyrically biting chorus where Amie's voice sounds terrific again. Stay is, aptly, a slower song that rounds out the CD nicely. Stay is more of a vocally driven song but the band, as simple as the melodies seem to be, sound excellent.
My favorite songs are Bend Over, Karma Boy, What You Want, Shut Up, and Stay. Dirtie Blonde has a ton of potential. This self-titled affair is far from perfect yet it's still a fun CD to listen to on occassion. They're currently on tour so hopefully they're generating a good fanbase cause I'd really like to see them make another CD. As for this one, despite all its imperfections, it's worth the money. Be forwarned though, Amie knows what she's capable of vocally so if you can't stand a girl who refuses to sound like every other female fronted pop/rock band, then avoid this at all costs. If you don't mind though, by all means, pick this up. |
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Great intro album
Submitted on: 2006-08-27 |
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| Heard "Walk Over Me" on the radio a few times and had to do some real digging to understand who was singing it. Really great song that aptly describes the experience of finding someone and because he/she seems perfect, naturally assuming it'll never last or it's too good to be true. So after hearing the band capture that emotion so well, not to mention the lead singer's voice, I thought "They gotta be good!" and thought I'd try out the album. I did. It's great. From the first time I played it. Glad I made the purchase. |
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Annoying voice
Submitted on: 2006-07-16 |
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| I heard a song by dirty blonde on the radio yesterday, and the lead singer's voice is really annoying. I can't stand it! The band is good though. |
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