DIRTY LOOKS – Turn Of The Screw (reissue 2016)
Hard to find for many years Rhino / Atlantic just reissued 2016 DIRTY LOOKS‘ second album “Turn Of The Screw“. Without a doubt, alongside their major label debut (Rock Candy Remaster posted here) this is Dirty Looks finest moment, a band with a strong cult following all over the world.
Dirty Looks formed in San Francisco in 1985 when Danish-born Henrik Ostergaard, who had tired of playing in a cover band in Pennsylvania arrived to the Bay Area intent on forming his own band and recording original material.
The band’s first self-titled album was released by a French label called Axe Killer Records. Apparently disillusioned with the San Francisco scene the band relocated back to Pennsylvania in 1986 and recorded a second album called In Your Face.
That record and its single ‘Oh Ruby’ got the attention of major labels and in 1987 Dirty Looks signed with Atlantic Records who released the Max Norman produced debut.
They got a little airplay on MTV and flirted with the Billboard charts but the album (now a cult classic) was not the success the band and label expected.
Undeterred Dirty Looks soon entered the studio with producer of the moment Beau Hill to record this follow-up “Turn Of The Screw” but were dissatisfied with the results and started over with a new producer, John Jansen, who had produced Britny Fox’s hit debut the previous year.
Dirty Looks were one of several bands of the era (Rhino Bucket, Dangerous Toys, Nevada Beach, etc) that displayed a rather obvious AC/DC influence, but this “Turn Of The Screw” is quite impressive in its own right with a more of the ‘Californian sound’ of the moment (1989).
The album opens with the raucous title track ‘Turn Of The Screw’ driven by a hot riff like a mix between Aerosmith and the aforementioned Britny Fox. The song is immaculately put together, very clean yet with a kick ass attitude.
Up next the single ‘Nobody Rides For Free’ (one of may favorites) continues with the rockin’ attack but even more catchy. Great verse with a nice singalong line and then a very melodic chorus that rides a groovy riff.
After these two first winners you can hear in this album Dirty Looks wanted to inject quite a bit of melody into their riff-driven brand of rock and roll. Those first two songs stand out above the rest but the whole album is good. A hyper track called ‘C’Mon Frenchie’ is followed by the in your face awesomeness of ‘Take What Ya Get’.
Another favorite is the slick sleazy rocker called ‘L.A. Anna’ based in a nice groove and a huge chorus. After the little formulaic but anyway effective ‘Love Screams’, Dirty Looks deliver the requisite ballad ‘Go Away’, and for the end we have the killer riff-rocker called ‘Have Some Balls’, hot n’ rockin’.
Dirty Looks “Turn Of The Screw” remains unheard by most hard rock aficionados and this is your opportunity to discover a very good, ballsy yet polished piece of rock ‘n roll. It has not been remastered but the digital transfer is excellent, punchy, vital.
The band churned out five more records between 1992 and 1996, then broke up. They regrouped in 2007 and released a few more albums, unfortunately Henrik Ostergaard passed away in 2011 at the age of 47.
A couple months ago, rabid fans of the band got alienated when it was announced that Dirty Looks are now reformed but with no original members. Seems someone got the rights of the band’s name/logo (Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer is involved in this) and will be touring soon.
Anyway, Henrik Ostergaard’s legacy keeps alive, and this “Turn Of The Screw” is the best representation of it.
Highly Recommended
01 – Turn Of The Screw (Who’s Screwing You)
02 – Nobody Rides For Free
03 – C’mon Frenchie
04 – Take What Ya Get
05 – Hot Flash Jelly Roll
06 – Slammin’ To The Big Beat
07 – L.A. Anna
08 – Always A Loser
09 – Love Screams
10 – Go Away
11 – Have Some Balls
Henrik Ostergaard: lead vocals, guitar
Paul Lidel: guitar and vocals
Jack Pyers: bass
Gene Barnett: drums
BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Turn-Screw-Dirty-Looks/dp/B01BZXJGGY
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