Album review: THE L.A. MAYBE – Dirty Damn Tricks

Facebook [Release date 26.03.21]

The L.A Maybe are a 6-piece band that originate in the Carolinas. They are a band that take inspiration from just about everything and everywhere, but I’m gonna go with Guns n Roses, AC/DC, The Black Crowes, Van Halen, Skid Row and Aerosmith as the main ones here. Their insanely catchy songs have everything I am after- big choruses, great harmonies, hooks a plenty and solid guitars (some of which are very Slash like in style). The band certainly sit nicely alongside the likes of Dirty Honey and The Dust Coda in the current wave of great new rock bands breaking through.

The album opens with first single “Mr. Danger”, which almost has a feel of modern AC/DC with Bon Scott era vocals at times. Ironic as singer Alvi Robinson was one of four singers auditioned to replace the band’s Brian Johnson in 2016. But Robinson is no mere wannabe as you will hear from his impressive vocals throughout “Dirty Damn Tricks”, and the band he has assembled behind him are one of the best new acts I have heard this year.

“Sucker Punch” has a Skid Row meets Velvet Revolver air to it and is one of the album’s highlights, as are “Fake” which is reminiscent of Axl Rose at his finest and the big Skynyrd come Black Crowes style balladry of “When I’m Gone”. Then we have “Take Me Away” a song that almost has the swagger of Extreme but is just a little too close to Dirty Honey’s “Rolling 7’s” or “She’s Reckless”, which has that classic Slaughter feel but with a great Bon Scott style vocal.

The quality of the song writing on offer here is impressive for a new band with a debut album, and there really isn’t a weak track on “Dirty Damn Tricks”. “Oh Sugar” is a song that has the lot, dripping in swagger it is the perfect summer rock song. “Piece of Mind” is bluesier and slower yet not quite a ballad, “Sweet” comes complete with a vocal that could cut through most things whilst “Up Next To You” rounds it all off in style.

The L.A Maybe have released the right album at the right time, and they have got the great songs to make an impact. I am looking forward to hearing much more from this band. *****

Review by Nikk Gunns

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