5 Stars
Mike Campbell, one of the greatest ever sidemen in rock’n’roll, branched out on his own with his band, The Dirty Knobs. This is their second album after releasing their debut ‘Wreckless Abandon’ in 2020. The Dirty Knobs are guitarist Jason Sunday, drummer Matt Laug, and bassist Lance Morrison, combining with Mike Campbell to form one of the tightest rock’n’roll bands today. Not only a great band but great mates too. You can tell just by listening to the music these guys like playing together. They have actually been going on the quiet for over twenty years.
In 1976, Mike Campbell teamed up with Tom Petty to form Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, co-writing such classics as ‘Refugee’ and ‘Here Comes My Girl’. After almost 50 years of triumph, Tom Petty was taken from this world in 2017, only a week after the last Heartbreakers concert.
During this time, Mike Campbell also did sessions for Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Don Henley and countless others. More recently, he was selected as one of the lead guitarists on the road for Fleetwood Mac replacing Lyndsey Buckingham. Pretty impressive CV.
Now in 2022, we have ‘External Combustion.’ ‘Wreckless Abandon’ was a good debut, but ‘External Combustion’ takes it to a new level.
Good old Rock’n’roll made to make your speakers jump about. You can still hear the influences of Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Fleetwood Mac. But none of these artists gave you this raw appeal with their music.
From the opening riff of ‘Wicked Mind,’ the music hits that groove, grabbing you by the scruff of the neck and dragging you along. This is music to party to. With passionate vocals and screaming guitar solos, the band follows their leader into the fray as if their very lives depended upon it. There is certainly no filler on this machine.
Every track is a gem, with some simply shining brighter than others. Particularly the title track, and the fast-paced ‘Lightning Boogie.’
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Two marvelous collaborations are included: Margo Price sings her heart out on the dramatic ‘State of Mind .’Then we get ‘Dirty Job’ where Mike Campbell gets to kick something off his bucket list by collaborating with Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople. Hunter sings the second verse, also providing backing vocals and barrelhouse piano. Funnily enough, the song is dedicated to the demon, alcohol. Mike Campbell is a long-time Mott the Hoople fan.
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Benmont Tench, a friend from the Heartbreaker days, also makes a welcome appearance rattling the ivories on ‘Lightning Boogie,’ adding more both musically and to the general ambiance.
With this album, Mike Campbell has firmly stepped away from the shadows and into the spotlight.
The final track ‘Electric Gypsy’ sums up the band’s philosophy in four and a half minutes.
Although the album has been lauded by the critics, so far it has not caught the imagination of the record-buying public. Have a listen and spread the word.
Written by Mott the Dog from his secret Doghouse on the Darkside of Pattaya.
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This rockin’ album deserves to do well.