It’s been a while since Dinosaur Pileup released any new material, October 2015 to be exact and this was in the shape of a tremendous record called 11:11, fast forward three and a half years and we reach June 2019 and its high time they put out something new, oh, hang on, is that the doorbell, it sounds like the postie with a special delivery for me, 2 mins, I’ll be right back!
Three hours and six listens later…….
From the outset, you know this is Dinosaur Pileup, they’ve managed to acquire a sound of their own over the past few years and upon hearing their latest offering Celebrity Mansions (album #4), I can honestly say that this is 100% their best work to date.
Their music is made up of some of the fattest licks I've heard in a long time, combine this with one of the strongest rhythm sections on the planet right now and throw in their trademark vocals and you have a sound that is unmistakably 'Dinosaur Pileup'.
I can't help but agree with the likes of radio royalty Daniel P Carter, Annie Mac and Jack Saunders who all love the opening tracks 'Thrash Metal Cassette' and 'Back Foot', they are absolute stonkers and are an immense way to welcome you to the new record.
'Celebrity Mansions' speaks of the rise of online celebrity culture and questions the value of what these so called ‘influencers’ actually do in life and does so in a non-condescending way. With its catchy chorus and brilliant melody, I guarantee that you'll be humming it for days on end!
The album’s closer ‘Long Way Down’, is quite simply the prettiest, warmest, loveliest song Matt Bigland has perhaps ever committed to tape and closes the record perfectly.
I would go on about each track on the record but I thought I’d leave you to unwrap each one in turn, there’s certainly nothing that I would refer to as ‘filler’ on this LP!
I can honestly say that this is 100% their best work to date
Since releasing their debut record in 2010, it's no surprise that they are attracting major interest with this album, If anyone deserves to 'own' 2019, it's these guys, they've put in the effort playing thousands of live shows and festivals all over the world, they've an incredible back catalogue as well as an army of diehard fans who have supported them along their journey so far.
If you're a fan of Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters, Sum 41 or Nirvana, you NEED these guys in your lives!
I could go on but I guess you're getting a bit tired of me telling you how great these guys really are, honestly, just pre-order the album and get ready to rock out when it finally lands in your inbox/doorstep/device (however the hell you choose to consume it!) When you pre-order the album, you get the chance of winning a guitar that Matt actually used to write a couple of tracks on the album....he's even offered to draw all over it for you!
The guys will be doing a short run of live in-store shows at Leeds, Bristol, London & Kingston in early June before heading over to Download Festival on Sunday 16th to rock the asses off any lucky punters who are able to fit into the tent to watch them (we saw them at Download in '17 and the place was rammed back then so get there early to get a good spot!) After Download, they're off to the USA until the end of July, I'm not sure if they have any other UK festival plans this year but be sure to keep your eyes on their social media for more info as it drops!
Tracklist
Thrash Metal Cassette
Back Foot
Stupid Heavy Metal Broken Hearted Loser Punk
Celebrity Mansions
Round The Bend
Pouring Gasoline
Black Limousine
K West
Professional Freak
Long Way Down
UK Live Dates (June)
Fri 7th – Leeds, Belgrave Music Hall (w) Crash Records
Sat 8th – Bristol, Rough Trade Records (w) Rough Trade
Mon 10th – London, Boston Music Rooms (w) TMStores
Tue 11th – Kingston, The Fighting Cocks (w) Banquet Records
Wed 12th – Brighton, Hope & Ruin (w) TMStores
Review by Steve Muscutt
