The Dirty Guv’nahs Bring The Youth & Passion
September 1, 2010 · Print This Article
Youth Is In Our Blood by The Dirty Guv’nahs amazes by its both simple and complex musical styling, lyrics, and composition.
It’s simple because somewhere in the deep recesses of my soul, I’ve heard it before—possibly in the melodies of The Rolling Stones or in the jams of The Allman brothers or more recently, the grit of The Black Crowes.
Youth Is In Our Blood is complex because it’s unlike anything I’ve heard being produced today. It’s a combination of all those soulful bands that are deeply loved and a new voice adding to Southern Rock’s glorious past and apparently bright future. The Dirty Guv’nahs bring back old memories, create new ones, and allow the listener to step into a marvelously happy musical existence for a total of 51 minutes and 55 seconds.
Started in Knoxville, Tennessee, The Dirty Guv’nahs formed on a whim when the bass player, Justin Hoskins, volunteered the Guvs to open for a band already slated to play at a local benefit. The only problem was that The Dirty Guv’nahs didn’t exist yet. They quickly joined together to play the benefit and decided to run with it.
Two albums, countless shows, and four years later, there are thousands of fans ecstatic that The Dirty Guv’nahs chose to follow their path of musical destiny. James Trimble, lead singer, and Michael Jenkins, guitarist, do most of the songwriting, and they seem to know which words will reach listeners in a way most songs don’t.
Youth Is In Our Blood was recorded at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, New York, in December of last year and has all the makings to be a modern rock masterpiece. The first track “Baby We Were Young,” embodies the whole theme of the album. “Love was the shape we made, love was the breath we drew, and youth was in our blood,” belts lead singer James Trimble.
Each track oozes lessons about love, life, and the measure of youth. “Walk With Me,” is the story of man accepting and loving a woman despite her problems. “We’ll Be the Light,” is a feel-good anthem epitomizing rock ‘n’ roll. The band’s talent truly shines in “New Salvation,” as lead guitarist, Cozmo Holloway, is given a chance to really shred, and “It’s Dangerous,” warns against the dangers of finding love in a bar. “Blue Rose Stroll” is the band’s longtime fan favorite, and it’s difficult to keep oneself from dancing or singing along when this tune starts playing.
I’ve heard some fans sound disappointed due to the abundance of ballads on Youth Is In Our Blood, but I personally think they make the album. “Courage,” speaks to listeners on a completely different level than other tracks. Trimble’s voice croons, “Courage moves within me, makes me shake. Looking for an ending without the wait.”
“The Country” is a beautiful, lilting melody dedicated to a failed relationship, something to which most of us can identify, and the addition of Jill Andrews voice singing harmony with Trimble’s is enough to send shivers through the spine. Written by keyboardist Chris Doody, “Seeds on the Rise” deals with the struggle of loss: loss of a relationship and a loss of faith. It allows the listener to believe there’s hope for those of us foolish enough to think we can control every aspect of our lives.
The Dirty Guv’nahs are a group of intelligent, passionate young men out to change the world, one rock show at a time. Fueled by conviction and talent, the group travels from city to city, spreading love, happiness, and a new form of rock reality certain to charm young rock fans and remind the old ones that youth is in the blood, not in a stage of life. –Amelia Tritico
Youth Is In Our Blood was released on July 20. The Dirty Guv’nahs are currently on tour.
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