Review: The Dust Coda 'Loco Paradise'

The Dust Coda by Dean Chalkley

Review: The Dust Coda ‘Loco Paradise’

By Mike O’Cull

London-based outfit The Dust Coda bend and reshape the idea of rock and roll in their own image on their new full-length release Loco Paradise.

Available now on Earache Records, Loco Paradise is the new-style classic rock album you’ve been waiting for all year. The Dust Coda is a talented, four-piece group that generates a non-derivative rock sound built on the bedrock of great songwriting and high-level musical skills. The band tracked at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire with producer Charlie Russell (Kasabian, Jamiroquai, Wargasm) at the desk and captured each of the new songs as live takes played straight off the floor. This approach was new for TDC and the challenges of it yielded outstanding results fueled by the band’s onstage power. As such, every inch of this record positively crackles with life.

The Dust Coda have been turning heads and blowing minds with their second-generation classic rock-inspired style for some time now. They go from all-out hard rock to mellow acoustic moments with ease and without cheese. It’s clear that they take their influence from the spirit and soul of vintage rock and aren’t just imitating their record collections. This exceptional depth has taken TDC a long way. They’ve supported Guns N’ Roses at Hyde Park, appeared on the legendary Rockpalast television show in Germany, blown up the stage at Kendal Calling and the Paaspop Festival, and opened for Smith & Kotzen. TDC is becoming known as a contemporary front-runner and Loco Paradise may well break them out worldwide.

The set kicks off with the absolutely blazing rock anthem “Road To Hell.” It’s a brilliant take on high-powered, non-glam, 70s and 80s hard rock that hits the same targets as the rockstars of old without sounding like any of them. Lyrically, lead singer John Drake takes on false prophets and leaders and his righteous rage gives The Dust Coda the same impact as the mighty Judas Priest but the tune’s content and riffs are 100% TDC.

“Fairweather Love” dips into TDC’s Prog side, using acoustic and electric guitars, dramatic structures, and big vocals to keep you glued into your headphones. Drake’s high-range vocals are especially impressive and guitarist Adam Mackie creates a seemingly endless variety of tones and textures. It’s as intricate as the previous song is straight-ahead and that range speaks volumes about the capabilities of these musicians. Again, you can hear influences but you can also hear original ideas and a shared intention to make this music their own.

“Love Sick”

The single and Taylor Hawkins tribute “Come The Night” is another detailed, melodic rock excursion destined to live in stadiums everywhere. The track uses chill, acoustic sections to ramp up to king-sized blasts of crunching guitars and hits every step along the way. Emotions run high on this one and you will vibe on the respect and love it shows to Hawkins and his memory. It’s a true epic that will lift you onto its shoulders and make things a little less sad for a while.

“Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise” finds TDC returning to pure blast tactics right up until the clean-toned breakdown in the middle. Drake and company have the ability to give themselves over fully to this kind of bare-knuckle rock without a trace of irony or pretense, which is exactly what’s needed for them to pull it off. Rock music is always about True Believers and there’s no doubting where the members of The Dust Coda stand.

Other highlights on Loco Paradise include the driving “Free All The Dancers” and the haunting closer “It Won’t Be Long.” The record is full of wonders that await your discovery and will show you that there’s still uncovered ground worth exploring in the realm of rock and roll. The Dust Coda are ready to explode and will make you feel the same way. Highly recommended.