Like many rock bands, Dirty Old Men was formed in the heady youth of highschool days when the three founding members got together in 2004. The name of the band is purported not to represent the members at the time of their formation, but their secret aspirations for the future. They have released a steady stream of albums since 2006 but only became major in 2011. Their latest album, doors, is their second major release and went on sale May 2nd.
The band have a very positive style and lyrics, and the whole album has a happy vibe throughout. Fans of ELLEGARDEN and UNCHAIN would probably enjoy this as well. Opening and title track doors gives you a good idea of what to expect from the rest of the album. Sunny twin guitars set up between lead vocalist Takatsuto Nobayuki and Yamashita Takumi, who takes the reins with the lead melody, play out light and carefree during instrumental sections. Takatsuto possesses an ultra smooth and charismatic singing voice, which stands out with just the rapid percussion provided by Okada Shotaro and simple bassline from Watanabe Yuji in the verse.
In Kaeru no uta which follows, he gives us some delightful "ooh woo woo woo"s in the verse, which together with a rhythmic backline comes across as quite funk before the chorus directs it straight back to upbeat rock. As well as offering up some nice guitar solos and riffs, Yamashita sings back up vocals which couple with the lead's for some great harmonies. The bright pop numbers a heart of difference and STATICE are similar in style, the latter being a bit more pop-oriented with the addition of some synth.
Slower songs come in the form of Tada kimi wo omou and Sagashi mono. The former has a melancholy vocal and guitar-only start which builds in volume to a rock ballad. While Takatsuto's velvety voice would soften even the stoniest of hearts, the chorus is a bit on the soppy, fawning side. The latter is more of a relaxed afternoon bike ride compared with the speediness of the majority of the album, featuring acoustic guitar and gentle vocals minus any real volume. I'm on your side towards the end of the album is the lethargic sibling of Sagashi mono, possessing the same instrumental set up but preparing for bedtime instead. It has a slower pace, although in contrast there's more dynamic and emotive singing from the lead.
Drummer Okada is more prominent on tracks such as Kotoba sagashi byou and the rockier Koumori and Nandomo, pounding out a harder beat for more edginess whilst the guitars strum out old school rock chords. Having said that, the band doesn't get rougher than a sanded circle. They play innocent, amiable pop-rock and it doesn't seem to be in their nature to come out with anything dark or controversial.
In today's rock market there are plenty of bands ready to take on politics or suicide as their material source. Sometimes it's nice to just kick back with something lighter, and Dirty Old Men provide just that. Despite their name which suggests punk rock or the like, their songs are free of dirtiness and are a nice, clean accompaniment to a chill-out evening.
Below is a teaser clip of doors, which shows the guys performing live.
