If we gave marks for persistence, Dutch Oevn would earn a few. To be fair their polite requests checking if we’d received their ‘From Me To You’ demo was quite endearing and never pushy. There’s nothing more annoying that an overbearing band, but showing a caring attitude about your work has to be applauded. After repeated listening to this three-tracker, I can safely say that if the band put the same effort into their songwriting then they may be on to something.
Recorded earlier this year in Peterborough, Dutch Oven play a kind of melodic punk that veers towards both the poppier and more post-hardcore ends of the scale, creating a hybrid that hasn’t really got an identity, but is still interesting enough to hook you in. Things begin with possibly the weakest track ‘Without You’, a song that never really seems to get going. It’s too low to get you moving and too fast to be a ballad and the vocals are certainly at their weakest. Still, a half-decent chorus does claw back some points even if the subject matter is more than a little cliched.
‘Slap In The Face’ is much better, an arpeggioed riff begins things, but the dual guitars push and drive their way through as the drums crash and the vocals, more forceful than on the previous track, are far superior. You’d almost think the two songs were by different bands such is the difference in quality. But it’s the EP’s title track which is probably the highlight, showcasing a maturity which will bode well for Dutch Oven in the future. It maybe isn’t as quick as it could be and there is a sense that the band seem to be holding back a little. Vocalist Matt seems unsure of whether he can hit all the notes and the drums certainly need to hit harder in the verses, but the backing vocals in the chorus add an interesting extra dimension.
Dutch Oven are by no means a bad band, but there is still a lot of work needed before they will break through. Still, they’re definitely that proverbial rough diamond and there is enough here to warrant a closer inspection if they decide to go back to the practice room and find their own sound. Average at the moment but there are moments that suggest that underneath some of the mediocrity lies a decent band just waiting to burst out.
dutchovenband@hotmail.com
Paul