Richard Davies and the Dissidents - Human Traffic

  by Steve Kinrade

published: 9 / 8 / 2020

Label: Bucketfull Of Brains
Format: CD

intro

Enjoyable classic and punk rock-influenced debut solo album from former Tiny Monroe and the Snakes guitarist Richard Davies and his new band the Dissidents

The main talking point around this release is the fact that Richard Davies - the perennial sideman who has road gun-shot with the likes of Glen Matlock and been the guitar slinger in by gone London groups Tiny Monroe and the Snakes - has now himself entered the spotlight with this debut solo album. So does he manage to don the cloak of the frontman and pull this transition off? Well, actually yes. His vocal style richly enhances his compositions, a sort of mash up between Joe Strummer and Tom Petty. Indeed, I could hear the echoes of London’s Pride the Clash on 'Way of the Wild', but there is also a strong Americana influence threading its way through the compositions, a more rocky aspect being heard on '(Long Road) to Your Heart' - a nod towards Bryan Adams perhaps. 'Human Traffic' does have a late seventies feel to it, which is no bad thing indeed. As debut albums go, this is a decent offering, and when hopefully Davies gets to tour it, the live aspect will add a greater dimension. And if that’s not possible, stick it on the car audio system, retract the windows and put your foot down. It’s that kind of album. Hopefully the wait for the follow-up will be shorter.

Track Listing:-