Just when I thought I’d settled in on Slash’s new blues album Orgy Of The Damned as my “summer jam,” Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs arrive with their new album, Vagabonds, Virgins & Misfits, to give Slash a run for his money as “King of My Stereo.” Nothing will help me get over the loss of Tom Petty in 2017, but having Campbell and his Dirty Knobs putting out albums every two years is indeed some rock n roll consolation. We were huge fans of the Knobs debut in 2020, Wreckless Abandon and the 2022 follow up External Combustion. There have been some changes with the band’s lineup on this record. Joining former Heartbreakers Mike Campbell (guitar/vocals) this time around are: Steve Ferrone (drums) also a former Heartbreaker…he replaces Matt Laug who is playing with AC/DC on their tour in Phil Rudd’s spot; Chris Holt (guitar) who replaces Jason Sinay who departed for solo pastures; and finally Lance Morrison remains on bass guitar.

Sometimes when you change band members you get a shift in chemistry or sound. I can say, I don’t notice a significant change in sound or tone on this new Knobs’ album. I think I’ve commented on both previous albums by Campbell and his outfit that they sound remarkably like Tom Petty’s music. I think I’ve finally come to realize that Campbell was so much a part of the Heartbreakers’ musical DNA – whether co writing a song, or just playing guitar – that of course his solo music is going to sound Petty-esque. I mean, if you listen to Keith Richards solo albums you don’t think, “Hmmm, this guy sounds Stonesy, that’s a surprise…” So, yes, when I listen to Campbell’s music I do hear echoes of his former employer and that’s a good thing.

The music on Vagabonds feels slightly lighter in the previous albums. He layers more acoustic guitar with the electric to wonderful effect here. So many times when a lead guitarist strikes out on his own the music becomes all about riffs and solo’s like Jerry Cantrell’s solo record Degradation Trip, for instance. The guy played everything he’d ever thought of on guitar on that album. Or the new record from Liam Gallagher and John Squire, it’s a great album but you can tell it was written by a guitar player with all the epic soloing. Campbell writes more like Petty, he writes complete, melodic rock n roll with great guitar solo’s as a bonus. There’s something so elemental about the Dirty Knobs music. It’s a straightforward rock n roll attack with vocals, two guitars, bass and drums. Is it weird that fundamental rock music like this almost feels like “roots music” these days? We need more rock bands with this kind of sound. These guys rock but they certainly know how to roll as well.

There’s so much to love here. I’ve already written about the first single “Dare To Dream,” so I won’t continue raving about that one, only to pause to say Graham Nash is a valuable secret weapon on any song he adds a harmony vocals on. There are a few other guest spots on the album – much like External Combustion with Ian Hunter and Margo Price guesting – and they’re both sensational tracks. Lucinda Williams shows up and duets with Mike on the great acoustic, country-ish ballad “Hell Or High Water.” These two were made to sing together much like Norah Jones and Keith Richards. Great country weeper. Chris Stapleton, a country guy I’m really starting to like, shows up for “Don’t Wait Up.” I was also happy to see Benmont Tench plays keyboards on the song. “Don’t Wait Up” starts with a little crying guitar that grabs me like a hook in a fish’s mouth…after that it’s off to the rock n roll races. These guys gen up some great guitar heat on this song. And it’s always nice to hear Ben Tench playing some boogie-woogie piano… “Daddy won’t be home until way past dawn…” indeed.

The album is not by any stretch subsumed by the guest appearances. There are so many great songs, I’m not sure which one is my favorite. “Angel Of Mercy” is a great rolling rocker that has that great blend of acoustic and guitar that propels the song forward and has a great solo. “So Alive” is what Petty used to call an old school Heartbreakers rocker. It’s a great meet-me-at-the-finish-line rocker. Campbell’s solo is sublime. “Shake These Blues” is a stomping bluesy rocker that wouldn’t have been out of place on Mojo. It’s a super guitar work out. “Innocent Man” is a nice jangly rocker that brings the Byrds to mind.

“Hands Are Tied” is a wonderful atmospheric ballad complete with spooky guitar. I will admit Campbell’s vocals sound like Petty… I can’t help it, Petty’s ghost is always close by for me. A contender for my favorite track is “My Old Friends,” which is a true B&V track. While it is a “farewell to drinking” song, Campbell manages to name check almost every liquor I can think of from Budweiser to Brandy Alexanders. It’s a very funny song…I love that Campbell has such a great sense of humor. Let’s just say I can relate to this song, “my misspent youth was nearly the death of me…” Yeah, I can’t deny that.

The album kicks off with “The Greatest” with crowd noise dubbed in. It’s a nice little tribute to the fans but probably would have worked better at the end of the album. It’s a bit of weird of a weird track to start the album on. I see “The Greatest” as a song they’ll likely play at the end of a set, or better yet, the end of their encore. The album concludes with “Amanda Lynn,” a short instrumental that sounds like mandolin? If I have any complaints about the album, if you take away “The Greatest” and “Amanda Lynn” you’ve really only got 9 tracks which feels a little slight. Other than that, this is a delight, start to finish.

Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs have a nice little rock n roll hot streak going here. I urge everybody to check out this album post haste. Turn this one up to 11. Between this album, the aforementioned Slash album and the Black Crowes’ Happiness Bastards it’s going to be a very rock n roll summer around the B&V labs…

Cheers!