I've developed a theory after listening to Dan Kelly & The Alpha Males Sing The Tabloid Blues. I believe in ancient folklore, the Kelly males were cursed. The spell compels them to continually write songs for the term of their natural lives. Look at Paul. Has anyone ever actually seen him anywhere but a stage or a studio? Mm...spooky. And here's the 'prodigal nephew', stepping up for his time in the spotlight. Dan has had a musical epiphany since Man O'Mercy and it involves playing with his current backing band, The Alpha Males (Gaz Liddiard of The Drones and Tom Carlyon of The Devastations) who seem to have dragged a hidden growling beast from the pretty boy who began wooing lovers of roots music with his previous EP. Step Forward is a huge leap for Kelly into the realm of rootsy rock. We'd better get used to his dulcet tones, trashy lyrical imagery and deft touches on the old 6-string because he seems to have his own custom-built charm, complimented by an ambiguous background of Buckley-esque wayward adventures and more than a touch of mystery. Summer Wino makes a welcome return but this isn't an album of highlights; it's a consistent barrage of fine songs and believable performances. You'll find plenty of examples of Kelly flexing his lyrical muscle. Words can easily pass you by when they're accompanied by music but when this young crooner sings, you believe him. That's rare. As for the music, the Alpha Males dig deep to find the root of roots music, then squeeze it through amplifiers or dumb it down to the most primal essence; its soul. What am I saying in English? Simply this: I love it.

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Tracklisting

Full listing of DAN KELLY & THE ALPHA MALES releases