Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour: Tree Bridge Cross – Album Review

Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour: Tree Bridge Cross

(King Outlaw via Cargo Records)

CD | LP | DL

Out Now

One of England’s greatest and most prolific rock’n’roll troubadours Tyla J Pallas is back with a new album, Tree Bridge Cross, and is ready to step back out onto a rock’n’roll stage somewhere near you real soon. As with his previous album, it flies under the banner of Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour and is another triumphant return to the classic rock’n’roll formula that Tyla has perfected over his extensive career.

Since The Dog’s D’Amour first announced their arrival into the rock’n’roll circus some 39 years ago with their own brand of swaggering songs about life, liquor and love, there have been many incarnations of this band led by the intrepid troubadour behind it all, one Tyla J Pallas. Over that extensive period during which Tyla emerged as one of the quintessential bastions of the rock’n’roll merry-go-round, this multi-talented artist has forged a strong reputation as a musician, poet and an accomplished artist. And in common with his prolific nature, 2022 now heralds another album, Tree Bridge Cross, which comes under the banner of Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour with a very clear nod back to the classic influences which have shaped his sound and career.

Tyla’s musical roots are fully acknowledged through this latest album which has all the craft and swagger which have become synonymous with his output over the years. But the songs within it also retain a real sense of melancholy and poignancy, symptomatic of the challenges faced through experiences over the past couple of years in the period which Tyla refers to as “countdown”. It’s an album full of brash rhythms and ragged guitars as well as Tyla’s trademark deep whiskey-soaked growling vocals, but yet is steeped in deep-rooted sentiment mixing so many musical styles including blues and soul through to countrified ballads. All of this contributes to an emotional rollercoaster ride coming from deep within as it takes us through an often dark and reflective narrative overlaid with varied and contrasting soundscapes.

Much of the album was completed around two years ago but events over this time have conspired against any attempts to get it out until now. Sadly, in this period we also lost Scotty Mulvey who contributed piano to the main batch of songs, so the album is dedicated to the memory of Scotty. The rest of the band aside from Tyla on guitars and vocals comprised Gary Pennick on guitar and backing vocals, Matty James Cassidy on bass and backing vocals and Simon Hanson on drums.

Title track Tree Bridge Cross proves a majestic opener as it harnesses all the power and intensity of the original Dogs at their incendiary best and this really sets the tone for much of what is to come. In contrast Journey To The Centre Of The Soul finds Tyla in a far more reflective and introspective mood, soundtracked with a sense of yearning and harmonic overtones. Meanwhile You Stole My Love Away speaks of real heartbreak as Tyla is joined on vocals by long term mate Spike in this countrified blues that never fails to tug at the heart strings.

The opening drum role of God Only Knows heralds another song of immense power and dramatic intensity which is as ferocious as it is stirring and soulful. It has huge rousing and climactic moments which you cannot forget in a hurry. Angel Lane feels again like classic Dogs with its crunching rhythm and stirring slide guitar guiding us through an epic rock’n’roll journey. Buried Alive is clearly an unapologetic song of revenge imbued with a deep sense of anger enough to put anyone on their guard.

Raining Fire is an all-out assault on the amps with raging guitars, huge riffs and howling feedback which defines the very meaning of a monster song. In sharp contrast Powder Dry strips the sound right back to its acoustic roots as Tyla warns that “some things ain’t meant to be”, presenting some beautiful and tender moments as it gradually builds before it slowly fades into a wistful and melancholic finish.

Moth To The Flame strikes a very significant chord in the current political climate in the UK with its focus on the misuse of power. Starting with Neil Young style harmonica, its driven along with a strong rhythm with a powerful message which belies the sensitivity in its delivery as it poses some serious challenges to the elite. Closing song Ghosts is stripped back to acoustic guitar and piano and is once again full of nostalgia as it looks back to “the playgrounds of our youth”. It’s a sad and heartfelt message reflecting back on what we have lost from the past, much of which now remains only as a memory.

As is not uncommon with Tyla, he has also recorded a second album of acoustic versions of all the same songs, with the exception of God Only Knows. These stripped back unplugged arrangements get you even further into the emotional context of each song as they bring the vocals into even sharper focus and bring forward the piano as well as an often-haunting viola, both being provided by Rik Evans. The impact is particularly striking on Tree Bridge Cross and Angel Lane with Buried Alive also getting a much heavier blues treatment.

Make no mistake, this additional acoustic album which comes with the 2 CD version is not an excuse to pad out the release as these are unique and fully formed arrangements which add a whole new dimension to their sound and meaning. These songs performed in this way really serve to demonstrate the songcraft Tyla has honed to perfection over such a long and impressive career in the world of rock’n’roll. So I really recommend you invest in the full sonic experience.

After all the challenges that exist in the world today following the extended period of suffering so many have experienced through the recent “countdown”, Tree Bridge Cross serves as a heartfelt and poignant reminder that no one is alone in their struggles. With its driving rhythms, rough-hewn edges and emotional outpourings, this is an album that the world needs right now so enjoy it in all its power and glory.

You can buy the album here.

You can find Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and their website.

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All words by Ian Corbridge. You can find more of his writing at his author profile.

Source: louderthanwar.com