Spinnerette: Spinnerette
Spinnerette release a self-titled debut album
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Tuesday, 16, Jun 2009 12:00
Hassle Records, out now.
In a nutshell...
Grungier and poppier new effort from Brody Dalle.
What's it all about?
The first full-length release from Brody Armstrong and her new band of cohorts. This 13-track record follows up the four-song digital EP Ghetto Love, which was launched in December 2008.
Brody showcased this album during two shows in the UK earlier this year.
Who's it by?
Spinnerette is the new vehicle for former Distillers front-woman Body Dalle, the feisty Australian who is as well known for her marraiges as her music. Think of her as a modern-day Courtney Love but without the front pages, breakdowns and general public depravity - most of the time anyhow.
She is joined in Spinnerette by former Distillers cohort Tony Bevilacqua, Alain Johanees, formerly of Queens of the Stone Age and Jack Irons, who has had stints in both Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
As an example....
"Humanity is a deer in the headlights, the road is covered in blood/Free yourself with a dagger from above, a crossbow of faith." - Ghetto Love
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
This album is sure to pick up fans internationally and is far more accessible than any of Dalle's previous material, but whether this would push her up into the big leagues music-wise remains a question. She will need to prove that she can do it on her own without a helping hand before true iconic recognition will be bestowed.
What the others say
"A far poppier beast than her previous band... her return could not have been timed better." - NME
"Solid, interesting and at times almost challenging. Some will undoubtedly hate it, especially those who are acquainted with the earliest Distillers material only. Others, however, will inevitably love it. Dalle is clearly in a transitionary phase and it will be interesting to see the direction that Spinnerette take in the next 12 months." - PunkNews.org
So is it any good?
It is interesting how Brody's bands sound like her respective husbands, her music evolving with her taste in men. Former band the Distillers brooded the same punk rock racket as her then-husband, punk legend Tim Armstrong from Rancid. Now, Spinnerette sounds distinctly on-par with current beau Josh Homme's successful Queens of the Stone Age.
Gone is the angst, the screaming and the unholy noise, instead replaced with a combination of grunge, new wave and pop influences which are sure to find her more accessible than those who followed her previous band.
In particular, the song Cupid bears an uncanny resemblance to Queens of the Stone Age's Everybody Knows That You're Insane - barring the scary video with a naked man revelling in the snow. This could have something to do the album was recorded in the family studio of Dalle and Homme - so his influence could not have been far from the party.
Lead singles Ghetto Love and Baptized By Fire show a different Brody than ever before, her snarling of previous efforts now replaced by husky tones and vocals reminiscent of a certain Debbie Harry - this girl has definitely grown up.
This latter fact is exemplified by the fact the lyrics now explore a world of motherhood and bereavement among other things.
Spinnerette is bound to pick up a growing legion of fans, not only is the music showing Brody as more of a musician and singer than ever before, but the more commercial aspect of the album will win people over around the globe.
This reviewer himself has long been under the spell of Ms Dalle, and if anything she is more mesmerising on display here than ever before.
Not that it's all the Brody show; the rest of the band provide a more than adequate platform for her to perform on. The drums and bass pound along a frenetic pace when needed, and can also provide a more low-key support in other places.
It really is an impressive full-length debut by Spinnerette, who are bound to grow and grow in coming years, and with the support from a certain rugged Mr Homme if needed along the way, they could pick up some more tips from the master.
8/10
Drew Swainston