Review: Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers – Burn It Down
Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers – Burn It Down
Format: CD – Digital / Label: Independent
Release: 2025
Text: Andy Trachsel
If you are of my generation and you like the voice of Bob Seger mixed with some heavy Southern rock then you will like ‘Burn It Down’ from Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers. Even if you are a little bit younger and you like Blackberry Smoke this album should also be played at your home or in your car.
Their previous album ‘Rough Time‘ was more versatile than ‘Burn It Down’. Those songs were written after Derricks father died. But lovers of overdrive guitars and loud drums and pumping bass will like the new album. Derrick himself is the lead singer and guitarist of the band. Further Jamie Richardson on drums, Don Hill III on bass and Jonathan Thomas on keys.
The title song Burn It Down will hit you hard. Opening with a guitar and bass lick the peacekeepers start rolling. Derricks voice is strong. The song has a medium tempo with punchy metal-like guitar chords. The keyboard fill-ins of Jonathan Thomas are refreshing. Also is the guitarsolo of Derrick.
Georgia Peach has a nice swing beat. Slide guitar and a honky tonk piano on the left channel and a Hammond organ on the right. Watch out for the tasteful guitarsolo of Derrick with some fine bass chord playing of Don Hill.
Comeback Kinda Love is my favourite song. It has a funky rock feeling like Mothers Finest. This song is catchy and will certainly often be played on radio stations.
Soul Revival has a double guitar intro like the former Allman Brothers Band. Nice multi backing vocals and yes the overdrive guitar is back and the in your face solo guitar of Derrick.
Just Walk Away could be a Marcus King song. Everything is perfect, the voice and the clean guitar of Derrick, the staccato keys and Hammond solo of Jonathan. The arrangement is quite open and gives space for crooner Derrick Dove.
The next song One Step Behind wakes you up again. It’s like the band wants to express they are Southern rockers and no less. When the song has ended and the listener has stopped head banging the song Can’t Move On comes in. It’s a moment of rest with an easy flowing acoustic guitar and Fender sounding licks. At the end the overdrive guitar gives an unexpected Led Zeppelin-like flavour to the song.
Queen of Broken Hearts is a bluesy ballad. All instruments are well balanced. The lyrics tell about some woman who did wrong to somebody. Well you get the blues or you don’t! It’s no coincidence the next song is called Time to Pay Up. Left channel Bass and Hammond on the right and then the song takes off!
The album ends with Life is a Vicious Circle. The band sounds like the Black Crowes and the production is wonderful. It’s like the guys are playing live on stage. What a great finish of the album!
Tracks:
01. Burn It Down
02. Georgia Peach
03. Comeback Kinda Love
04. Soul Revival
05. Just Walk Away
06. One Step Behind
07. Can’t Move On
08. Queen Of Broken Hearts
09. Time To Pay Up
10. Life Is A Viscious Cycle
Website: https://derrickdove.com/home