Dum Dum Girls impress at Neumos
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Seattle Gay News
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posted Friday, October 14, 2011 - Volume 39 Issue 41 Dum Dum Girls impress at Neumosby Jessica Price - SGN A&E Writer Dum Dum Girls October 9 Neumos The four untamed ladies of Dum Dum Girls turned more than just heads at Neumos last weekend. Their coordinated black short skirts with leather trimmings and patterned stockings were adorable, but it was their new material that made a lasting impression. Dum Dum Girls were interesting when they were just another up-and-coming fuzzed-out girl group mining the same nostalgic ground as The Raveonettes. With the current tour in support of new album Only in Dreams, all four ladies have stepped confidently into the spotlight and the new songs capture a depth and originality that hadn't quite materialized before. As for the echoes of The Raveonettes and The Go-Gos, it's no coincidence. Sune Rose Wagner of The Raveonettes shares Only in Dreams production credits with Richard Gottehrer, known for multiple hits with Blondie and The Go-Gos. The band started out with the propulsive 'Always Looking,' barely pausing before 'Bhang, Bhang, I'm a Burnout' and a handful of tracks from debut album I Will Be. It's hard to believe that album came out just last year, as Only in Dreams (released September 23, Sub Pop) is a noticeable stretch forward in maturity and refinement. While still keeping the melodies as catchy as anything by their girl-group influences, there's a bit more empowerment in Dee Dee's vocals, more reminiscent of early Chrissie Hynde than The Shangri-Las. 'Bedroom Eyes' and 'In My Head' were effervescent and vocally on point. Slow motion silhouettes of girls jumping on trampolines flickered on the curtain behind the band. 'Caught in One,' 'Hold Your Hand,' and the epic sweep of 'Coming Down' were deceptively sweet but lyrically complex. All three songs are somewhat off-the-cuff musings on losing a loved one. The tragic loss of Dee Dee's mother, diagnosed with what turned out to be a fatal illness, has changed her life and songwriting perspective since the last release. (Incidentally, Dee Dee's mother is the cover star of Dum Dum Girls' first EP and album.) The live delivery of these deeply personal songs felt purposeful, but barring this you'd never guess the underlying subject matter from the outwardly pretty melodies. The only disappointment of the evening was the less-than-perfect sound quality at Neumos. The lackluster mix seemed out of synch with the fairly simple drums/two guitars/vocals/bass setup, the parts regrettably a little muddy compared to the album's pristine clarity. Dee Dee's vocals, noticeably rich on Only in Dreams, weren't given the full focus they deserved. I found myself wishing Dum Dum Girls were given a chance to play the set under better circumstances. However, it would be impossible to dismiss the show for the sound issues; Dum Dum Girls are going to be the band to watch over the next few years. Only in Dreams is just in time to be one of the best albums closing out 2011. |
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