The Del Lords

It's hard to say what anyone should have expected from a band fronted by the former rhythm guitarist for the Dictators and featuring Joan Jett's ex-lead guitar player, but it probably wasn't the tough, populist roots rock of the Del Lords. The group's debut album, Frontier Days, proved that Scott Kempner knew enough to hold on to several of the Dictators' key virtues (quick wit and hard rock passion) while adding a few touches of his own (left-leaning politics with a strong blue-collar stripe, a sound that blended the best of blues, country, and no-frills bar room rock), while Eric "Roscoe" Ambel hadn't lost touch with the streamlined kick-ass rock & roll that was the hallmark of his former boss, Ms. Jett. The Del Lords were smart without losing touch of their streetwise instincts, and rocked hard without sacrificing melodies that would stick in your ear long after the songs were over; however, while Frontier Days is a reasonably accurate document of the Del Lords' blazing live show, the overly tidy and oddly hollow-sounding production by Lou Whitney robs this band of a goodly share of their full power, especially in Kempner and Ambel's guitars and Frank Funaro's drums. Frontier Days has some great songs and spirited performances, but one senses this band wanted to rock a lot harder than the circumstances permitted -- a presumption that was confirmed on their next album. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide