Simon RushworthThe Dead Daisies — Light ‘Em Up (SPV)
Dead good or dead in the water?
Depending on your view of the Glenn Hughes era, the verdict’s been out on The Dead Daisies during the last four years.
As a consequence, there’s a whole lot riding on Light ‘Em Up.
Hughes looked like the perfect fit for David Lowy’s revolving door line-up of rock and roll royalty when he was parachuted into the band in 2019.
This was, after all, the Voice of Rock adding his considerable vocal heft to an established roster of über talented hired hands.
And after four years of John Corabi’s husky snarl it felt like some peak heavy blues Hughes could usher in an exciting new era for fans of multi-millionaire Lowy’s self-styled supergroup.
Oddly, it never quite worked.
Holy Ground (2021) and Radiance (2022) were, inevitably, flawless in their conception, production and sonic thrust.
The latter spawned one of the singles of the year in the shape of the Doug Aldrich-powered earworm Face Your Fear.
And Hughes appeared to have a blast helming one of the most dynamic classic rock throwbacks of the last decade.
But it was all a little too polished.
Gone was that sleazy groove, garage band growl and dirty rock and roll at the heart of Revolución and Make Some Noise.
And in its place something safer, sweeter and altogether more wholesome.
In 2024 Corabi’s back to kick some ass. And the former Mötley Crüe man doesn’t hold back.
Corabi ignites Light ‘Em Up
Light ‘Em Up emerges as an illuminating exercise in the benefits of going back to the future.
It’s the sound of a band recognising its strengths and eliminating any weaknesses.
Corabi cranks up the volume like only he can.
Aldrich appears to revel in the opportunity to cut loose and tear through the 10 tracks here.
The returning Tommy Clufetos combines effortlessly with Whitesnake alumnus Michael Devin the drive the whole thing forward.
And as for Lowy?
No doubt he just sat back and let it all sink in as the recording of Light ‘Em Up successfully repositioned his passion project as something seriously relevant on the hard rock scene.
I’m Gonna Ride — much like the title track — might shamelessly ape Johnno-era AC/DC but it’s a rip-roaring rip-off.
And the punky, gutsy Take A Long Line crackles with Corabi’s trademark grizzle.
Alice Cooper meets Iggy Pop on the cannily titled I Wanna Be Your Bitch.
But The Dead Daisies truly hit their stride during Back To Zero — a booming heavy rock epic reminiscent of the genre’s mid-80s big beasts.
A hangover from the Hughes sessions? Quite possibly. But Corabi carries it anyway.
Then there’s the obligatory ballad… and Love That’ll Never Be is a beauty.
Think Hagar-fuelled Van Halen as Aldrich and Lowy lay the foundation for a genuinely moving change in pace.
Light ‘Em Up carries the classic rock torch with confidence.
And Corabi’s the undoubted spark.
