Album Review: Down 'n' Outz - This Is How We Roll
Down ‘n’ Outz may not be a band name that many readers are familiar with but when you hear who the outfit is comprised of you will recognise a number of household names.
The project is the brainchild of 2019 Hall of Fame inductee and Def Leppard legend Joe Elliott. The band he has put together is really a who's who of the rock n roll elite. Alongside Joe is Paul Guerin, Guy Griffin and Keith Wier (The Quireboys), Share Ross (Vixen) and Phil Martini (Wayward Sons). Thus rightly claiming the supergroup title.
This October the band release their latest album ‘This Is How We Roll’ a rock and roll masterpiece for a new generation.
Opening with ‘Another Mans War’ you get a wonderful feel of The Who with the keyboard introduction harking back to said bands classics, an intro that builds the atmosphere before the rest of the band kick. The up tempo tune setting the scene for what Elliott wants to achieve with this recording.
Title track ‘This Is How We Roll’ has a wonderful guitar lick of an intro that immediately pulls you in. Again the pace of the track is frenetic, but has a more bluesy feel, pushing Elliotts vocal range, but also that of each and every musician performing on the track.
It’s not all fast-paced though as the somber ballad ‘Goodbye Mr. Jones’ kicks in. A lyrically moving track, softly delivered that will no doubt have the lighters (or is it mobile phone flashlights these days?) raised in the air when performed live.
Throughout the album the keyboards are put to good use, and often with inspirational experimentation. The intro to creatures is magical and the song as a whole has a completely different feel. Experimental yet radio friendly, if this isn’t a hit I’ll eat my hat!
Elliott and his Down ‘n’ Outz have produced an outstanding record in ‘This Is How We Roll’. Experimenting outside the confines of their usual bands they have delivered on all fronts to produce a modern day classic.
