Dynamite Steps

Twilight Singers | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 15, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sub Pop
• ASIN: B004GHYC1G
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,603 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

"Whenever you're here, you're alive" are the first words sung on Dynamite Steps, the fifth album from Greg Dulli's Twilight Singers collective, and the group's first in five years. Dynamite Steps explores the thin line between life and death, mortality and immortality, resignation and celebration that mythical moment when your life flashes before your eyes, drawn out here over the course of eleven songs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the wait., February 26, 2011

By 

Jon Morris (Binghamton, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dynamite Steps (MP3 Download)

I'll admit I have a love/hate relationship with Dulli's music, which I have been listening to since his days leading the Afghan Whigs. His songs have a visceral effect on me: some of them truly move me, others absolutely irritate me. That said, I believe that Dulli is one of the best American singer/songwriters of the moment, and right now he is clearly at his peak in creativity.

As another reviewer stated, the two Gutter Twins CDs are amazing, and have been on my play list almost non-stop since they were released. On the other hand, The Twilight Singers CDs I have tended to pick and choose from, making my own play lists. Again, some of the songs I have loved, others I really have not liked at all.

All of this by way of saying that, if you have been following the Twilight Singers for the last few years, then you should really enjoy this CD. In my opinion, it is probably the most consistent CD they have made. From start to finish, there is not a bad song on the CD. And while I tend to like Lanegan's vocals more than Dulli's (Lanegan does sing backup on at least one song), here Dulli holds his own.

This CD is not as mellow as some have been; indeed, a couple of tracks reminded me of the Afghan Whigs, but smoother, more polished. It has a rock-blues sound to it, of course, but with just the right effects.

I don't know enough about music to speak to what he is doing technically in terms of the construction of the songs, so I'll leave that to others who are better qualified. I will say this: if you liked the Afghan Whigs, earlier Twilight Singers CDs, or The Gutter Twins project, then you can download this CD with confidence. It is Dulli at his best, and my hope is that he will maintain this level of virtuosity for years to come.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greg Dulli never ceases to amaze, February 21, 2011

By 

Corrrrrrkieeeeeeeeeee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dynamite Steps (Audio CD)

When I first really got into Greg Dulli's music was when i bought the gutter twins record Saturnalia on the count of Mark Lanegan. As I listened to that album I found that the songs that struck me the most were the ones that Dulli penned and sang on (God's Children, The Body). I decided to delve deeper and buy Powder Burns and Blackberry Belle. Both of these albums I would rank as my favorite records and i truly did not believe that they could be topped (especially Blackberry Belle, as an album it just flows so well!) Indeed I was wrong.
This album has not only exceeded my expectations but it has me rethinking which Twilight Singers album I like most. I'd say it surpasses Powder Burns but is on par with Blackberry Belle.

'Last Stop This Town' is a grower, and really reminds of 'Martin Eden' with its piano intro followed by its pulsating bass. The first time I heard it, i was unsure of what i was in for.
'Be Invited' is more subtle in its approach but is in my opinion quite effective. With Lanegan doing guest vocals in the chorus, it really adds to the dark feeling that Dulli captures so well.
'Waves' sounds so colossal in its delivery and guitar wise, really remind me of Dulli's days with The Afghan Whigs. His vocals seem buried but you can tell he's yelling his heart out on this one!
'Get Lucky' is a sweet ballad that brings the mood back down. Lyrically it seems like a warning to those around the protagonist and as the song goes along it builds until you hear distorted applause. Quite deserving indeed.
'On The Corner' is a really cool track! Dulli's lyrics were as he said more based on flow for this one more instead of creating a narrative. Dynamically the song is just fantastic.
'Gunshots' is a really gripping emotive song that has a great hook to it. As the song builds the backing vocals from Joseph Arthur kick in, and they're just fantastic! They really add to the songs emotional qualities. I can see this going off live!
'She was stolen' seems more anthemic than anything else on the record. Dulli said this song was quick to finish in the studio and it adds a nice touch to the record because it seems quite different to many of the other songs on the album. While the record has a dark vibe throughout, this seems like the first ray of light. A really charming, beautiful song.
'Blackbird and the fox' brings the darkness back. Well before the album was even heard, Dulli said in an interview that the next record would have a 70's AM radio vibe to it. About 7 months later this song was released for free on their website. From the first couple of bars of the song I could tell Dulli was obviously having a bit of fun during that interview. Ani DiFranco duets on this song and the harmonies created together work beautifully! As it starts to really build the song's over. Quite a quick blast of brilliance!
'Never Seen No Devil' begins in a reserved manner with Dulli singing softly but as the second verse rolls around, the song amps up and turns into another amazing song! I must say this is one of my favorites.
'The Beginning of the End' begins like a shoegaze song and then cuts to just acoustic guitar. It's a really cool song, with Dulli using more of his higher register. i found it the most surprising when I first heard it. I now really do adore this song.
'Dynamite Steps' is a great way to end a great album. It starts off slowly and drawn out but begins to shift dynamically as more layers are added. When the lead guitar line enters, it sounds just amazing. Dulli's lyrics are also quite touching and powerful as the song fades out.

Now to be honest, this album doesn't stray too far from the sound The Twilight Singers are known for. It is cinematic in approach and has plenty of crescendos. Having said that this is the album I wanted them to create, something that had differing layers and certain songs which would take time to grow with but a sound which was ultimately familiar. If you like any of the Twilight Singers stuff, especially Blackberry Belle, then you should adore this album as I do. It deserves high praise and I hope this finally gives Greg Dulli the mainstream attention he deserves.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A dark grower, March 14, 2011

By 

B. Martin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dynamite Steps (Audio CD)

I knew next to nothing about Greg Dulli or his music prior to listening to the newest album from The Twilight Singers. I had heard of the Afghan Whigs but that was about it. I listened to Dynamite Steps after my brother reccommended it. It just goes to show that sometimes the best music hits you when you least expect it to. Upon my first listen to this album, I was struck by the strangeness of it all. The songs were dark, moody, emotionally heavy and they were never in a hurry to be over. They created an indelible atmosphere that was quite unlike anything I'd recently heard. The songs were lacking in hooks or catchy choruses and Greg Dulli's vocals reminded me of a mix of Richard Ashcroft, Mark Everett (E) and Randy Newman. Sounds bizarre, but it worked. I can't say that I loved the album upon first listen, but I was definitely intrigued.

The genius of Dynamite Steps, however, lies in its complexity and layers. Repeat listens to this album reveal new facets and nuances in the lyrics, arrangements, and in Dulli's vocals as well. This is truly an ablum in the purest sense of the term. There is a remarkable cohesiveness as the songs seem to flow endlessly into one another. Sometimes the album feels more like one continuous song more than it does a series of individual tracks. That will likely keep The Twilight Singers from scoring much radio play, but something tells me they're ok with that. So am I.