| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: Chris Dickens |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2018 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 12 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 39:27 |
Vocalist, bassist and guitarist Chris Dickens first appeared on our radar in 2005, when the Watertown, Tennessee native released the sophomore album of his Mission Of One Project, Show Me The Way. The 75% Angelic Warlord graded work traversed the waters of ‘eighties influenced hard rock and biker rock territory’ in ‘seamlessly (flowing) from one composition to the next while delivering no ballads or mellow tracks’. Hence, the musical stage was set for the two Mission Of One albums to follow, beginning with the summer of 2008 self-titled offering, which (per the 80% Angelic Warlord review) ‘picks up where Show Me The Way leaves off by taking a foundation of hard rock and joining it with elements of guitar driven classic rock and heavy blues rock.’ Artist took the next step musically five years later on Hostile To The Gospel ‘by continuing to walk a fine line between blues based hard rock and straightforward heavy metal’ while also ‘making significant steps and strides in the key areas of production and songwriting’ (quoting the 85% Angelic Warlord review).
If change is inevitable and change is good, then one can understand the change Dickens made on his fifth full length When Your Time Comes under the new moniker Big Chris & D'Bare Bones Band. Bare, of course, refers to not only his ‘bare bones’ musical identity but also the D’Bare brand of cigar box guitars in which he recorded the album. Gist finds him ‘(backing) off somewhat from the heaviness characteristic to Mission Of One (and settling) into a natural blues driven groove both vocally and guitar wise’ that impresses as ‘in your face and rocked out blues’ (85% Angelic Warlord review). In other words, When Your Time Comes might not deliver the punch of hard rock, albeit it comes close in places!
Fast forward to the fall of 2018 and Dickens has released his sixth studio album and second as part of Big Chris & D'Bare Bones Band, Man Overboard. Musically, it does not stray far from the ‘bare bones’ direction to When Your Time Comes in maintaining the bluesy proclivities but within the heavier rocking guitar driven framework. No, not necessarily Rez Band heavy, but crossing the threshold of hard rock when at its most forward. Man Overboard otherwise finds the artist also branching out and presenting with some outside the box lighter if not mellower ballad based moments we have not always seen from him in the past.
Remaining unchanged is Dickens’ penchant for parody covers, noting how When Your Time Comes includes a re-imagined version to George Thorogood’s “Bad To The Bone” (under the new title “Bound For A Throne”), while Man Overboard reworks the ZZ Top hit “Tush” (now known as “Burning Bush”). Covers are also found in the form of re-recorded versions to Mission Of One songs “Man Overboard, “Where The Worm Dieth Not” and “Give It To Jesus”. His sense of humor remains in full force as well, as found in songs that while humorously entitled “Please, Don’t Make Me Watch A Chick Flick” and “I Love You More Than Meatloaf” are no laughing matter musically.
Albums opens to its muscular title track, combining equal parts driving hard rock guitar riffs and shuffling blues driven aesthetics with hooks of a formidable capacity. Impression is of Glenn Kaiser Band at its heaviness. “Free” further ups the guitar focus. With the as noted Rez Band coming to mind, the song bulldozes its length as predominating guitars and a no-nonsense as it gets bearing hold sway. Standing out on the two are Dickens’ compelling vocals to walk a fine line between the lower register baritone and raw and gritty.
Another favorite is “Bootlegger’s Prayer”, a bluesy hard rocker to up intensity levels in playing up added catchy hooks and the marked low end to match. Snarling, bristling and heated is the feel at hand. “Where The Worm Dieth Not” represents this reviewers choice cut. The song brings by far the albums most engaging guitar riff, digging and biting with its straggly biker rock feel but equally decisive in terms of the mammoth bass line to command the low end. Inherent to the two is the artist’s cigar box lead guitar wizardry.
Also of choice variety is the ZZ Top cover “Burning Bush”. Recognizable is the immediate thought to come to mind, as the same notable guitar harmonies and refuse to go away melody that made the song a hit back in day and staple on classic rock radio remain in full force. The BAND aspect to Big Chris & D’Bare Bones Band asserts itself in the form of brother Darren Dickens’ acute timekeeping.
The heavier rocking focus maintains on “Legs”. No, not another ZZ Top cover but taking a similar musical bearing with its buoyant bluesy trending and lower register but distant backing vocals to bolster the sharply done refrain. Likewise, “Lord, How I Love The Way She Walks” with its rawer and stripped down hard rock essence as guitars slam in and out of the mix. Classic seventies hard rock is the feel at hand. These two prove unequivocally artists ability to compose memorable hooks.
On the lighter side, “Yes, I Know” comes across in the form of a Barbershop Quartet with its four part vocal harmonies with complementary bass, baritone and tenor backing lower register lead vocals. Yes, a bit unexpected and outside the box - at least compared to albums remaining material - but I am still gad it was included from how it reveals a different side to the artist.
I am also akin to ballad “Give It to Jesus” in slowing momentum to a crawl with its acoustic sentiments and tasteful rhythm guitar but also for highlighting the baritone side to Dickens’ delivery. A haunting melody further rounds things out. Of the three Mission Of One covers, I lean towards “Where The Worm Dieth Not”, but “Give It To Jesus” gives it a good run for its money.
“Completely Flexible”, last of the mellower material, is lone track in which I struggle. Perhaps it comes across a bit too playful and mirthful, or upholds too great a pop substance, but it goes over my head all the same. That said, it is also by no means bad - I enjoy the frolicking bass line - and I can see how others might like it, although in the end I say respectfully not my cup of tea.
Which brings us to the albums two ‘joke’ songs “Please, Don’t’ Make Me Watch A Chick Flick” and “I Love You More Than Meatloaf” that despite pinpointing the artists sense of humor, musically are to be taken seriously. Former is blues-rock manifest in starting slow and gentle to bluesy guitar only to gradually build in appearance until peaking for a surprisingly catchy chorus to find rhythm guitar playing a choice role. Latter takes the bluesy sentiments to the next level with its shuffling bass accent and gritty slide guitar, albeit not forsaking melody or a deep-rooted sense of groove.
Man Overboard finds Dickens continuing to compose faith based lyrics with occasional keen sense of wit. “Free” stands out in this capacity:
No condemnation; there's no guilt trip for me
I'm a new creation with Jesus living in me
I'm not under the law; I'm under His grace
With the blood that was shed, my sin has been erased
Nothing separates me from Your loving care
If I make my bed in Hell, I'll still find you there
No matter what I do; no matter where I go
You won't cast me away 'cause You love me so
“Burning Bush” draws its lyrics from Exodus 3:
Flames went up
He fell down
Hid his face on the ground
He was shakin' so much
When the Lord spoke to Moses
From that burning bush
Told Moses
Now turn around
From now on you're Egypt bound
I ain't askin' for much
That's what the Lord said to Moses
From that burning bush
“Legs” and “Lord, How I Love The Way She Walks” combine for a two song suite based loosely around the issue of lust:
I'm hooked on digital beauties
On many I have dined
No matter what I'm doing,
They're always on my mind!
I thought was escaping,
But this thing is my vice
I was wrong; it's much to strong
It always does entice
Destroying lives of many
Always ending in regret
Now it's clear; click outta here
Get off the internet
Lord, you've got to help me; free me from this vice
Don't want a nasty reputation; that's far too great a price!
I need to do what Job did & make a pact with my eyes
Help me keep my vows to You and to my lovely wife!
She's always giving of herself
She's got a servant's heart
She lives a life of faith in You
If Hostile To The Gospel incorporates some of the artist’s best guitar riffs, while When Your Time Comes makes his strongest artistic statement, Man Overboard stands out with its persuasive accessibility from drawing you in on first couple listens when placed alongside either way. Plenty of catchy hooks backed by ever-presence bluesy underpinnings and a partiality towards a heavier rocking form further help the album stand out. When also factoring the eye-catching cover art and able production (I LOVE the artists guitar tone), it helps make Man Overboard a needed purchase for aficionados of blues-rock and hard rock with a bluesy edge.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Man Overboard” (4:20), “Burning Bush” (2:22), “Free” (3:47), “Give It To Jesus” (4:08), “Completely Flexible” (2:54), “Bootlegger’s Prayer” (3:16), “Where The Wurm Dieth Not” (3:02), “Please, Don’t Make Me Watch A Chick Flick” (3:14), “Yes, I Know” (2:59), “Legs” (3:05), “Lord, How I Love The Way She Walks” (2:38), “I Love You More Than Meatloaf” (3:44)
Musicians
Chris Dickens - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Bass & Drums
Darren Dickens - Drums
