Suffrajett-
Black Glitter (www.suffrajett.com)
Suffrajett is a really good punk rock band.
How good you ask? Well, here's an example.
When Tim & I went to Asbury Lanes a couple
of months ago to see The Dolly Rots, and do
an interview with them, Suffrajett was their
opening band, and also tour mates. We did
the interview in the lounge which was within
earshot of the stage, and all through the
interview with The Dolly Rots, our ears would
perk up every now and then while Suffrajett
was playing, catching a few notes or vocals
of what was a really impressive set! Even
better, although The Dolly Rots had been on
tour with Suffrajett for months, they ended
the interview a few minutes before the band
finished their set to catch their last song,
and we followed along.
Suffrajett's current album Black Glitter,
has that same head turning vibe that their
live show possesses. Simi S- vocals, Danny
Sevenson- drums, and Kevin Roberts- bass,
establish themselves with tough, punk rock
songs that capture your full attention right
from the start.
With glimpses of the Ramones, Blondie, and
Cheap Trick, they shape Black Glitter into
a powerful and original creation. The songs
concern troubled romance, successful romance,
teenage rebellion, and a clever in-joke ("Jesus,
Driving High"), that's not hard to share.
Each song on Black Glitter was given a "Hit
Single" approach, and if you have a jukebox
addiction like me, you'll burn each song separately
onto a CD (vinyl 45 jukeboxes are so much
more fun), start from "A1" and you'll
have a better idea about what the whole album
is about, and how much mojo the band brings
to it.
Suffrajett's ever-changing musical approach
makes for a very ambitious disc with a glimmer
and luster as they play up Simi's vocals,
which provide ample room for far-reaching
emotional expression, as the rest of the band
plays strikingly unique punk rock!. - Phil
Rainone
The
Birthday Massacre - Looking Glass (www.Metropolis-Records.com)
Amid all the talented and adventurous bands
of the second (or is it the third, I lost
count) New Wave explosion, The Birthday Massacre
is one of the best kept secrets (awe heck,
after you hear Looking Glass you gonna tell
all your friends so hopefully they won't be
a "secret" any longer). Since forming
in 2000 the band has been evolving and growing,
zeroing in on a distinct synthesizer based
sound with a textural vocal wash, and they
goes easy on fancy studio maneuvers.
Songs like the title track, "Falling
Down," and "Red Stars" are
more than adequate, but the overuse of refrains
take a little away from the story telling,
but that's eventually overtaken by very listenable,
at times dancable techno- beats, that prove
to have a broad commercial appeal. The Birthday
Massacre have found an affecting path in the
lush, pretty arrangements like on the cover
of Tommy James and the Shondells' first chart
buster, "I Think We're Alone Now."
The Birthday Massacre's propulsive, synth-dance-beat,
and some neat sonic maneuvers keep it fresh,
but you'd have to get up pretty early in the
morning to try to beat the Shondells' version!-
Although, back in the late 70's The Rubinoos'
made a very cool version that as yet to be
topped.
They include a bonus video for "Looking
Glass' that points up the band's creative
merit, shinning a spotlight on The Birthday
Massacre's ability to translate music from
your ears to you eyes, and back again.- Phil
Rainone
back
to jerseybeat.com l back
to top
CD Reviews 
