On their first record in over a decade, Dirty Three are as volatile and potent as ever

words by bryget chrisfield

According to Warren Ellis, Loves Changes Everything – the power trio’s first album since 2012’s Toward The Low Sun – was “recorded in five days. Mixed in a year”.

It’s tricky not to sing this album title to the tune of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s song of the same name (from the musical Aspects of Love), but we’re getting there…

Dirty Three’s ninth LP contains six tracks, titled Loves Changes Everything I through Loves Changes Everything VI.

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The opening lead single kicks off with distortion followed by a tuning-up of sorts: Ellis’s distinctive, urgent violin playing saws through Mick Turner’s meandering, metallic guitar noodling and Jim White’s dynamic, escalating drumming.

Then haunted wails chime in from a distant, painful place (…II) before Ellis somehow replicates the sound of swarming insects to underscore …III’s elegant piano musings and freeform drumming. During …IV, Ellis’s violin playing lands gently, like a mournful caress.

Although Dirty Three is an instrumental outfit, these outstanding musicians are in continuous dialogue, surrendering wholeheartedly to the creative process and never getting in each other’s way.

Those fortunate enough to have been in attendance still light up while describing Dirty Three’s legendary Saturday night set at Meredith 2004, which coincided with a vicious storm front descending on Supernatural Amphitheatre. Dirty Three backed by an electric storm!? Sounds biblical.

So much more than just a band, Dirty Three are a force of nature. As wild and untamed as Wazza’s straggly beard, this trio’s ability to veer wildly from whirling instrumental dervish to symphonic sweet spot is exhilarating beyond belief. We can’t wait to be swept away by this new material at one of their upcoming live shows!