The Dudes are a Calgary band with a classic rock sound in the best sense. A bit like early Collective Soul mixed with Big Star, in other words – what rock and roll is supposed to sound like. With the first riffs of the opening track, “Honest Mistake” it will please fans right away, as lead singer Dan Vacon wears his soul on his sleeve. The next song “Girl Police” is a loving tribute to Cheap Trick in the opening notes and then piles on hook after hook. Vacon’s vocal delivery is a little like Queen with an Adam Levine (Maroon 5) styled twist. Another great tune is the narrative “Mr. Someone Else,” a snarky love letter to your best friend’s hot girlfriend. The albums theme of the hard time getting good lovin’ is both romantic and deeply cynical, but overall plenty of fun. Currently, the band is living up to the album title, by suffering a rash of injuries (Vacon broke his collarbone in a BMX accident, and his drummer Scott Ross lost some teeth on the same bike a week later). Some call this a “cursed” album because of the recent band accidents, but you can’t blame the music here. Most of the tracks are pretty solid and some tunes like the mid-tempo “Petty Lies” are almost poised to break into a standout chorus, but just don’t quiet get there. Overall a pretty good driving album with enough diversity in the track list to ensure repeat listens.
