For some reason I really like this debut album from starting Dutch band Blazt. All I know about them is that they come from the small town of Lichtenvoorde and have been playing a lot this summer. Their album is one of those perfect soundtracks for long roadtrips on hot summer days. Just turn on your car stereo and keep driving. It’s definitely not the most original music you’ll ever hear, but sure as hell a promising start.

I’m a sucker for a decent voice and good melodies. You’ll find those in great abundance on Desert Dog. Especially in the ballads -or slower songs- the voice of lead singer black elvis really shines. It is his voice that lifts Blazt’s sound (far) above that of many other starting bands. Highlight: the song “Crickets” with its almost Supertramp-like vocals.

The songs are mostly what I’d like to call classic rock. It reminds me of seventies UFO albums as Phenomenon or Force It. Thrusting drums, thick guitars and not too complicated lyrics. I must say that I don’t like the semi-aggressive vocals on “See My Misery”. Also making ‘heyheyhey’ rhyme with ‘clear my way’ is a bit sad, and using an intro has been done too often before, I think.

Desert Dog sounds like a first album. There is still room for improvement. But I don’t want to sound too negative because - as I said in the first line- I like this album a lot. I’m just curious how Blazt will sound in a year or two. All in all, a very charming debut. I can’t wait for album numero dos!