We Speak Music
The Tempted ‘Passions & Misdemeanours’ – A Bold and Beautiful Evolution
The Tempted’s, Passions & Misdemeanours, is a record that breathes new life into the duo’s already impressive legacy. A stunning mix of alternative rock, blues, and synth-pop influences, this 13-track album finds Brian Callaghan and Michael McDonagh at their creative peak, seamlessly blending genres and creating a sound that is both fresh and nostalgic. The album is an exploration of the emotional landscape, moving between haunting ballads and driving rock anthems with ease. From the first track to the last, the album demands attention, pulling the listener into a world where every note carries weight.
What makes, Passions & Misdemeanours, truly stand out is its impeccable production. Mixed across two continents, the album captures a sense of global influence while maintaining an intimacy that allows the listener to connect with every song on a personal level. The instrumental arrangements are lush yet minimalist, with each track built around strong, deliberate basslines courtesy of Shug Brankin. This balance between intricate production and stripped-down rawness gives the album its unique, timeless feel.
The guest appearances on the album add another layer of richness to its already diverse sound. Mick MacNeil’s keyboards are a perfect match for the band’s evolving style, adding an atmospheric quality that complements the album’s more reflective moments. Meanwhile, Mary Kiani’s soulful vocals inject a burst of energy into the tracks she’s featured on, infusing them with a sense of fun and vigor. These contributions are not just enhancements—they elevate the entire project, taking it to new heights.
Passions & Misdemeanours, tackles themes of passion, regret, and introspection. The album’s title hints at the conflict within the music, where the joy of living is constantly challenged by the mistakes we make along the way. Callaghan and McDonagh’s songwriting remains sharp and poignant, blending personal experience with universal emotions. Whether it’s the sweeping choruses or the quiet moments of reflection, the album never fails to resonate on a deeply human level.
Overall, Passions & Misdemeanours, is a record that cements The Tempted’s place as one of the most inventive and enduring acts in the alternative rock scene. It’s a reflection of the duo’s years of growth, experimentation, and unwavering dedication to their craft. With this album, they’ve crafted a sound that is uniquely their own—bold, beautiful, and brimming with passion.
In “You Never Do Shit,” Brooklyn’s Dead Tooth deliver a snarling, urgent post-punk single that distills their barbed energy into under four minutes of sharp-tongued wit and scuffed-up sonics. It’s a track that bristles with disdain—Zach Ellis’ vocal delivery is acidic, at times theatrical, and often more spoken than sung. There’s a punk rock immediacy here, but with the knowing wink of someone who’s watched the scene curdle and still wants to dance through the ashes.
The song began its life in a different medium—written for a fictional band on City on Fire—but the real-life iteration carries more weight. There’s a palpable satisfaction in Ellis’ decision to reclaim it, and that freedom seeps into every detail: the unkempt rhythm section, the jarring saxophone lines from John Stanesco, and the deliberate looseness that characterizes its structure.
Dead Tooth are at once participants and commentators in the culture they inhabit. Their songs are alive with noise, but also with intent—tracking the psychic hangover of nightlife, subcultural collapse, and underground scenes that burn bright and disappear too soon. Ellis’ lyrical observations land like tossed-off critiques, but underneath the smirk is something deeper, almost desperate: a desire for connection, even through chaos.
With their debut album looming, “You Never Do Shit” feels like a thesis statement. Not just of sound, but of ethos: reject slickness, embrace noise, tell the truth—even if it’s ugly. In a year when punk has mostly whispered or wandered, Dead Tooth has chosen to scream.
-
We Speak Music1 week agoShadows of a Silhouette deliver a rush of energy with razor-edged new garage-rock single, ‘No Matter Where I Go’
-
We Speak Music1 week agoAcclaimed US singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd to tour the UK for the first time this summer
-
We Speak Entertainment2 days agoThe Unconventional Path of a Musician Without Boundaries
-
We Speak Music3 days agoLimahl ‘A Horse With No Name’ – A dusty classic, reborn with synths and swagger