Dave Davies & Russ Davies

Open Road RED RIVER ENTERTAINMENT. CD/DL

First song-based collaboration from former Kink and his DJ/dance producer son.

Back in 2014 Dave Davies took a song-inprogress, In The Old Days, to brother Ray, who refused to collaborate, so he completed it with his son Russ. The album on which that appeared, Rippin’ Up Time, was full of raw guitar crunch and nifty lead work. Those elements are again present here in places, but overall the mood is more reflective. What unites both albums is the lyrical content; Dave delving into memories to prompt ideas for songs Ð telescoping back to schooldays on the sparse piano and guitar shuffle of DonÕt Wanna Grow Up, and taking stock on the poignant Forgiveness. The father-andson combination is satisfyingly unpredictable, with a fresh, non-rock approach to some of the rhythms and unexpected shifts in style, like the massive guitars on King Of Diamonds, and the breezy but bittersweet pop of Slow Down.