Dalton
Pit Stop

December 2014
Released: 2014, Frontiers Records
Rating: 3.0/5
Reviewer: Waspman

Swedish melodic hard rockers Dalton were one of the many casualties of the grunge explosion. The band released two well-regarded (in Europe) albums in the ‘80s before imploding in the next decade. They reunited for an TV special and with a little bit a musical magic Dalton was reborn, resulting in this third album, PIT STOP.



The promo material provided with this album mentions that members of Bon Jovi contributed songs to the band’s ‘80s output, and that’s a pretty good indicator of where Dalton is coming from. PIT STOP is chock full of anthemic hard rock songs that could easily fit onto the mighty Jovi’s ‘80s albums, making this album an absolute treat for anyone that’s ever enjoyed that style.



That said, I don’t want to imply that this record is nothing more than a SLIPPERY WHEN WET tribute – far from it. Dalton rounds the hard rock bases with class and talent and, although a couple of songs are a bit by-the-numbers from first song to last, they’ve made this one of the more effortlessly enjoyable albums I’ve heard recently. Bo Lindmark’s voice is gritty yet clear, integrating perfectly with the guitars and keyboards to really make songs like “Up & Down” and especially “One Voice” stand out and stick in your head.



While PIT STOP doesn’t re-write the book of rock, it definitely contributes a solid chapter or two. If classic ‘80s hard rock is your thing, than Dalton is the next band you should check out.