Suburban Dirts
Album: A Tiny Little Island In The Big Bad Sea
Label: Operando/Haven
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.suburbandirts.com

Mastered by Bowie/Stones/Zep collaborator Ray Staff, this second album from the Hertfordshire sextet should speed them onward. Not that trajectory has so far lacked for pace or power - formed in 2011 they wasted little time in committing a self-titled debut to tape before landing slots at last year's Secret Garden Party and Standon Calling where their visceral blend of Americana and classic blues won hearts and minds.

It's almost a year since this second album was recorded in a single day at Metropolis. The resultant tracks impressed Foals/Roison Murphy knob twiddler Ian Rossiter to produce them and Boo Hewerdine to licence them for his Haven label.

So, what of the sound? Well, it's a frantic collision of lots of good things, a white knuckle rollercoaster ride that offers glimpses of Johnny Cash, Jack White, Bob Dylan, Leadbelly, Ralf Stanley, Ryan Adams, Django Reinhardt - real deals with nowt taken out.

Hang on to your hats and just don't go looking too deep for meaning.

Nick Churchill
www.thegranvillechambers.co.uk