DIRCH – First We Rock (2021)
Dirk ‘Dirch’ Faulstich is a vocalist & guitarist with a vast pedigree into the European rock scene, as songwriter, member, performer and session musician for various bands and projects. He started in the ’80s in a cover band, later writing original material.
Celebrating his more than 30 years into the rock n’ roll world Dirk realized it was time for a solo album. He assembled his own band DIRCH and recorded “First We Rock” comprising a bunch of songs penned all over the years, many in the ’80s / early ’90s.
So it’s not surprising the tracks on “First We Rock” are timeless melodic rock inspired by the true sound & style from those decades. As proof he also drops a cover of Asia’s 1983’s song ‘Don’t Cry’ (and very well done) but the good thing here are his own tunes. Dirch has a fine voice bringing to mind Johnny Lima, and musically not far from it. There’s also two guest singers – friends from different bands – rounding out a melodic, catchy rocking album.
Silently released and with scarce promotion, “First We Rock” deserve to be listened by all fans of the genre.
The soaring ‘The Higher You Fly’ opens the album with a nerve and melody, followed by the more groovy title track ‘First We Rock’ sung by fellow singer Dominik Klinkhammer providing the necessary raspy voice for this punchy rocker.
Next, ‘Ride On’ is a bluesy midpaced rocker where the Lima or Burning Rain similarity appear, followed by the clean, atmospheric power ballad ‘Home’, a lovely tune embellished by acoustic guitars.
‘You See Me’ rocks with melody and a certain Night Ranger feel, more classic melodic rock is the motto of midtempo ‘Untaken’ which somehow, at places, reminds me of early Bryan Adams.
Next we have the AORish version of Asia’s ‘Don’t Cry’ with a more contemporary arrangement, ‘Dreaming’ is timeless ballad, ‘Inside’ adds an early ’90s melodic rock pulse to the guitars and voice, and for the end we find as bonus a stripped version of ‘Dreaming (Acoustic Version)’, shorter, with pianos, and very good as well.
“First We Rock” will please fans of timeless melodic hard / AOR with its classic songwriting, performances and production. A very enjoyable album from start to finish.
HIGHLY Recommended
01. The Higher You Fly
02. First We Rock
03. Ride On
04. Home
05. You See Me
06. Breakdown
07. Untaken
08. Don’t Cry {Asia cover}
09. Dreaming
10. Inside
11. Dreaming (Acoustic Version)
Dirk Faulstich – vocals, guitars
Franky Lindenthal – drums
Peter Scholz – bass
Steffen – keyboards
Heino Firnung – guitar (2)
Dominik Klinkhammer – vocals (2)
Markus Katzenberger – vocals (4)
Fabian Kampa – drums (6)
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B094MQ7YK5
