'Risk Profile' is the latest long player from Sean O'Brien and His Dirty Hands, and follows on from 2012's 'Future Harvest' which I reviewed for W&H back then.
However, this album is different, as it marks the first without Dirty Hands' guitarist and co-producer Jeff Kane, who sadly passed away, and to whom this album is dedicated. Sean says “There wasn't a day I didn't think of Jeff in writing and recording the new album” and it shows. Jeff casts a long shadow over this album, which features some excellent post-punk style tracks, along with tracks that broadly fall within the Americana bracket.
For those of you who prefer to take your music digitally (I don't) there is the added bonus of an extended version of this album; a 'Deluxe Edition', which as well as the album itself, features studio out-takes, the 'Tribute to Jeffrey Kane' E.P. which was released last year and four live tracks from a KDVS broadcast in Davis, California: the station being of special significance as it was the site of Sean's first recording session over thirty years ago.
The CD version of 'Risk Profile' contains twelve tracks, with Sean on vocals and guitars; Tom Hofer on bass and vocals, and Matt Boudreau on drums, percussion and vocals, and opens with the thunderous 'Rehabilitated (I Want You)', with pounding drums and jerky guitar lines. This is a track that could easily have stepped straight right out of 1978, and if it had been slipped into a vintage new wave compilation, I'm sure most people would not have found it out of place. The atmosphere is heightened by the disaffected, isolated lyrics: - “You better stop or it will be over, you better stop or it will be done/ Are we friends or former lovers? I guess I just don't know anymore”.
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Whilst the music on this track is classic post-punk, the vocal delivery is more along the lines of David Byrne in classic Talking Heads mode.
Although most of the tracks fall roughly between two genres, with 'The Addict Demands', Sean creates a track that will leave people with jaws dropping in surprise. This is a slow jazzy number which is piano based (courtesy of Rob Reich), and comes across as tender and understanding of a difficult position: - “Baby you know my discovery, is to be held in your hands/ For my needs and recovery, the poor addict demands/ When the craving is too often, and I'm too weak for a fight/ But you're no fool my baby, at least no tonight/ You must take care of yourself”.
Once again, Sean has produced a strong album, coming through and triumphing, despite adversity and loss. Jeff Kane would certainly have been proud of this. It is the perfect tribute.
Sean O'Brien Facebook page
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