Britain’s Diesel Park West are one of those bands that have been around for the better part of twenty years, but save a debut album released Stateside (Shakespeare Alabama), they’ve remained under the radar their entire career. Fortunately for their fans, DPW remain undeterred, putting out album after album of exceptional music filled with compelling hooks and instantly memorable melodies. Their latest, Blood & Grace, is no exception, a set of songs that’s immediately engaging even on first hearing. “Just Like Me” and “There’s A Grace” each provide a perfect case in point, their rocking refrains making an indelible impression. This is, after all, a band that’s never been shy about from expressing admiration for their forebears; early singles and EPs were littered with covers of classic forebears like Buffalo Springfield and Moby Grape and their original material conveys a sense of classic connection. Sadly, Blood & Grace isn’t available on this side of the Atlantic, meaning it’s only available from overseas sources and somewhat costly at that. Be assured however, that the end result is well worth the effort.
--Lee Zimmerman
