THE NEW ROSES – Dead Man’s Voice [Limited Digipak +4] (2016)

“Dead Man’s Voice” is the second album from THE NEW ROSES, but their first for a major label (Napalm Records, to be released today February 26), and such is the level of confidence here, that you wouldn’t bet against them making a massive breakthrough.

“Dead Man’s Voice” rocks right from the start. If it weren’t for the fact that this album is made by four Germans from Wiesbaden in 2016, you would think you’ve made a jump back in time and find yourself right in America in the ’80s. Their classic Rock ‘n Roll / Hard Rock sound is obviously influenced by legends like Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith or Cheap Trick.
Hailing this classic sound can be dangerous. The chances of ending up like a cheap rip off or joke around with the almost forgotten spirit are high.
Fortunately this isn’t the case with The New Roses. “Dead Man’s Voice” feels very well thought of, it has all necessary swagger, the riffs rock in the right way and production is clear and punchy.

Quite honestly there’s some songs here that match the huge whiskey soaked groove they are drenched in. “Heads Or Tails” kicks things off with the air of a runaway train, “Partner In Crime” comes on like Aerosmith circa Nine Lives and the bluesy thriller of a title track is like Poison covering Molly Hatchet.

Largely this type of album always lived and died by its hook and it’s chorus, and here The New Roses are top of whatever class you want to put them in. “Hurt Me Once (Love Me Twice)” would be the best song The Black Crowes have written in 15 years and you’d have to go back to Cinderella in the late 1980s for anything quite as catchy as “Try (And You’ll Know Why)”.
It is, however something else that really takes the honours and “Thirsty” proudly puts its middle finger in the air, and shows many established acts how this kind of music gets done.

“From Guns And Shovels” is a slow building and perhaps the heavier moment on the CD, on the other hand the ballad comes with the organic “What If It Was You”, which has the chops to get mobile phone lights up in any arena.
And arenas are clearly where this album is aiming, and who knows, it might get there. Truly deserves it.
Highly Recommended.

01. Heads or Tails
02. Thirsty
03. Partner in Crime
04. Dead Man’s Voice
05. I Believe
06. Ride with Me
07. Hurt Me Once (Love Me Twice)
08. Not from This World
09. What If It Was You
10. Try (And You Know Why)
11. From Guns & Shovels
Limited Edition BONUS TRACKS:
12. The Secret
13. Whiskey Nightmare
14. It’s a Long Way
15. Leave Me Alone

Timmy Rough – vocals, guitars
Norman Bites – guitars
Hardy – bass, backing vocals
Urban Berz – drums

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