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IN REVIEW: Dorothy - "Gifts From the Holy Ghost"

 

After steering away from the hard rock of their debut with more kaleidoscopic fare for an underwhelming sophomore effort, Dorothy return after four years with their third album. Gifts From the Holy Ghost marks a decisive retreat into the heavy blues of their debut, although the latter record does offer more variety than the former; take the soulful, gospel-adjacent overtones of Rest in Peace, the swaggering hair metal anthem Hurricane or the gothic piano balladry of Close To Me Always. 

Dorothy hit their sweet spot on Black Sheep, splitting the difference between Halestorm and The Pretty Reckless while adding a little added production spice; ditto opener A Beautiful Life, which kicks things off with a dizzying array of hooks and riffs, and the sultry, fiery Top of the World. These songs all slot in nicely alongside their past hits even as they feel more fleshed out compared to the often stifling mixes heard on ROCKISDEAD.

Gifts From the Holy Ghost addresses most of my criticisms from last time out handily and, while the there is some reliance on hard rock tropes that prevent an enjoyment level that rises much higher than "cheap thrills", sometimes it's best to keep it simple, stop fussing over creative depth and just let yourself get rocked.

April 22, 2022 • Roc Nation
Highlights A Beautiful Life • Rest in Peace • Black Sheep

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