TYKETTO is a band that I always felt hit the scene just a tad too late in the game with their debut album "Don't Come Easy" (released in 1991). It was, as the famous story goes, just prior to the melodic rock genre tanking in favor of the 90's Grunge movement.

The band always possessed a strong ability to write a catchy tune and was anchored by the spectacular vocals of Danny Vaughn. The group had several lineup changes throughout the years as well a period of inactivity also. If you followed the band and its members since the time of their debut then you will be aware of the various members and their activity, with Vaughn remaining the busiest in the scene, but if you haven't then you may be pleased to know they have just released their long-awaited new record "Dig In Deep" with the original lineup intact.

Now it has been 21 years since this lineup has released a new record (not including 2007's "The Last Sunset", which was just a collection of old demos and such) and so if you are expecting the band to pick up where the left off with "Don't Come Easy" you will be surprised (or disappointed depending on how you see it). "Dig In Deep" shows a maturity and growth, as the individual members have all changed in those 21 years and that is to be expected.

"Dig In Deep" opens with the first single "Faithless". The song starts out with a somewhat aggressive riff not all that different from the bands' very first single "Forever Young" but it is certainly more modern sounding in tone. In all honestly I wondered what the band's direction would be with their sound when I first heard this opening riff but the track turns quickly into a more familiar TYKETTO sound. As a matter of fact it ends up sounding like something that could have come off their second release "Strength In Numbers".

Subsequent tracks offer up influences such as THE BLACK CROWES and the EAGLES (possibly this comes from Danny Vaughn's involvement with a UK-based EAGLES tribute act, which he has been doing for the last number of years). "Love To Love" features more of the familiar TYKETTO vibe and the preceding "Here's Hoping It Hurts" is more an AOR-friendly tune. A song such as "Battles Lines" is where you will start to hear a stronger EAGLES influence that will be scattered throughout the record.

"The Fight Left In Me" is a strong track with a riff that holds your attention and has a nice hook. Much like "Faithless" it starts with an almost heavy and ominous guitar riff but settles into a melodic rocker that has a chorus that could have been lifted from the debut.

"Evaporate" is a decent track that comes off sounding like a SISTER HAZEL tune with its harmony vocals and mid-paced structure. It's a bit different for the band but not all that far off base. "Monday" has a smidgen of THE BLACK CROWES vibe mentioned earlier and it's a light and breezy tune if I had to describe it in a couple words; perfect summer fodder.

The title track "Dig In Deep" is a real left turn for the band - at least for the Danny Vaughn-fronted version of the band. The song has something of a funky vibe and feels a little like some of the material from the bands Steve Augeri-fronted "Shine" album. It feels a bit out of place for me but in the big picture it's not like the band hasn't tried the style before. "Sound Off" is another quirky tune in that it's not 100% vintage TYKETTO sounding. Songs like this and the previous track are what I feel aren't strong points for the band.

"Let This One Slide" has more of THE BLACK CROWES feel mixed with the "Strength In Numbers" era. I do have to say that even on what I consider weaker moments from the band that they still seem to come up with a chorus that sort of saves the day.

The album closes with "This Is How We Say Goodbye" and the song has the feel of the Danny Vaughn/Michael (Clayton) Arbeeny albums that simple went under the VAUGHN moniker. It's a gentle southern blues rock type tune and could also be accused of having that EAGLES feel to it too.