“The Tower of Dudes isn’t just your average international accordion-laced cow-punk band based in Prague, Czech Republic,” the band’s press release starts.
I’ll be honest, PT has covered more than 3,500 reviews and I honestly do not think I’ve ever come across a band with that description before.
Anyway, the band continue: “Their lively stage presence, along with their double-barreled, pump-action delivery, has been known to incite all manner of dancing, chanting and spellbinding sing-a-longs that only end when this gang of half-crazed misfits either pass out or explode. Their eclectic range of instrumentation – accordion, mandolin, banjo, melodica, glockenspiel, washboard, spoons and other musical tackle – elevates them from standard punk-rock fare. Their driving rhythms, pulsating bass lines and pounding beats send them skidding right past folk or country. Their cynical, often humorous lyrics make the Tower of Dudes tickle the ribs of even the most ardent jazz-snobs.”
Which, to be honest, interested me even more. Sadly though, ‘Earl’ talks a better game than it actually performs. I guess the lazier of us would compare them to a less gypsified Gogol Bordello, but the songs on this release really do cry out for a little more urgency and pace. It’s interesting stuff – ‘Revival’ has a real eastern European theme to it – but it’s not something I think I will ever go back to and listen to for pleasure. That said, I can see a lot of people enjoying this because it’s just so eclectic and interesting. Worth a listen, out of intrigue if nothing else, but it’s just not really my thing.