Without a doubt, alongside their major label debut ‘Cool From the Wire’, DIRTY LOOKS‘ second album “Turn Of The Screw” finds the band at their finest moment. Rock Candy records did the magic with ‘Dirty Looks’ some years ago, now it’s time for 1989’s “Turn Of The Screw” to be ‘remastered & reloaded‘ in full force.
Unknowingly, with ‘Cool From the Wire’ DIRTY LOOKS had crafted one of the era’s greatest albums that although registering with fans and some well-informed critics strangely failed to set the world on fire. Atlantic records however were not disheartened and signalled the go ahead for a follow-up album.
Issued in 1989 and titled ‘Turn Of The Screw’, the band moved on to a new producer in John Jansen (Billy Squier, Britny Fox) and set about recording in New York at the world-renowned Power Station studios.
The result is a riff-rock packed album with some great and catchy tunes such as ‘Take What Ya Get’, ‘Slammin To The Big Beat’, the title track and anthem ‘Nobody Rides For Free’. It’s another enormous tribute to simple but effective loud and proud hard rock, this time with a much more polished production and that 1989’s glare. Our DIRTY LOOKS favorite album.
Dirty Looks formed in San Fransisco in 1984 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 Frisco scene the band relocated back to Pennsylvania in 1986 and recorded a second indie 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 ‘Cool From the Wire’. 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.
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 chairman, 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 very good ballad ‘Go Away’ (brings to mind CINDERELLA), 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 many ’80s hard rock aficionados and this is your opportunity to discover a very good, ballsy yet polished piece of rock ‘n roll. A punchy, energetic and melodic groovy album.
Highly Recommended (contributors get the album today)
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
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
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