The Next Big Thing

The release date of this latest epistle is April 18th but if you’re lucky enough to be in the vicinity of their European shows then maybe you can score a copy upfront of that? The word that separates the DDR from the host of post-Cramps combos is undulate. Their mutant primal blues undulates like the former throbs. They’re possessed by a spirit of undiluted entertainment and this new album on Swami goes a long way to capturing what I imagine that they bring down upon an audience in the, er, flesh. “There Is A Difference” is a great title because it tells it like it is. This isn’t an easy strain of “music” to carry off but you know that these folks mean it. They pummel their Motor City gospel out and you can either go with ‘em or get the heck outta their way because they patently don’t care. There’s an inherent soul in what DDR do, “Lil’ Naked” is a brooding rough diamond of an anthem. It precedes a run through Donnie Elbert’s “Little Piece of Leather” which isn’t an easy song to treat right. There’s a glam transfusion at the intersection of where the NY Dolls headed up Devilgate Drive to the cross street marked Fleshtones. The production offers an olive branch to passers-by that are drawn to the ruckus. It’s cohesive and maybe even radio-friendly without sacrificing an inch of what makes them unique. They even offer up a version of “Amazing Grace" for chrissakes. Viva le “difference” indeed.