REVIEW: The Dead Daisies - Lookin' For Trouble

With Lookin’ For Trouble, The Dead Daisies unleash a thunderous tribute to the blues, reimagined through the raw power of modern rock. This ten-track cover album isn’t just a nod to the past, it’s a full-throttle celebration that electrifies classics with fresh grit and passion. What distinguishes this album from typical cover records is its balance of reverence and reinvention. Recorded at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Lookin’ For Trouble carries a sense of musical heritage while injecting each track with the band’s unmistakable energy.

Opening with Muddy Waters’ ‘I’m Ready,’ the band makes their mission clear. The track, driven by John Corabi’s fiery vocals and Doug Aldrich’s searing guitar, sets the tone for the high-voltage journey ahead. It’s a bold, confident opener that revs the engine for what follows. A standout is Robert Johnson’s mythic ‘Crossroads,’ chosen as the lead single. The band amplifies its dark folklore with a blistering, guitar-heavy arrangement. The song is dripping with soulful power, and the performance bridges eras with both respect and rebellion.

Their renditions of ‘Black Betty’ and ‘Boom Boom’ are equally explosive. ‘Black Betty’ shifts the traditional folk roots into pure rock territory, creating an instantly familiar yet revitalized sound, whilst ‘Boom Boom’ maintains John Lee Hooker’s hypnotic groove while supercharging it with heavy riffs and pounding percussion. Tracks like ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ and ‘Going Down’ also receive bold transformations. The former trades swing for swagger, while the latter barrels forward with relentless energy. ‘Born Under a Bad Sign’ adds weight and soul, steeped in fatalistic blues tradition. However, with all these classics gone, it’s ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ that delivers the album’s emotional peak. Instead of mimicking the original’s sorrowful majesty, The Dead Daisies slow it down, letting weariness and grit shine through. A moving reinterpretation, that shows off just how important the blues are to the Blues.

Throughout the album, the chemistry is undeniable. Corabi’s vocals roar with conviction, Aldrich’s guitar work is blazing, and the rhythm section lays a rock-solid foundation. The band sounds united in purpose and passion. Guitarist Doug Aldrich calls the album “a cool fresh take on some Blues that we love”, and that love is evident. These songs don’t just honour the blues, they breathe new life into them, making them accessible for new listeners whilst satisfying longtime fans. The album even feels intergenerational, offering common ground for parents and kids alike.

John Corabi puts it best: “The Blues had many names back in the day and they all had unwarranted negative connotations. But considering the influence the Blues have had on EVERY genre of music we listen to, with the exception of Classical, I would refer to it as ‘The Soul’ of music today!!!” Lookin’ For Trouble gives that soul a gritty, modern edge, reviving the blues for a new generation.

Score: 8/10

Lookin' For Trouble was released on May 30th 2025.

Words: Con Macadam

Photos: The Dead Daisies