ALBUM REVIEW: DeaDHead – The Rocket Dolls
British rockers THE ROCKET DOLLS released their 2014 debut album Eyes which showed a depth of knowledge of music, past and present, and forged that history into an album. Now the trio, Nikki Smash (vocals, guitar), Benji Knopfler (drums, backing vocals), and Joe Constable (Bass, backing vocals) have been back in the studio breaking the mould, piece it back together in the shape of their new album DeaDHead. Having gone from strength to strength since their formation in 2008, the British trio have grown and developed to the point of sharing stages with FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND and GRINSPOON to name a few, and been played on Hard Rock Hell and Scuzz TV.
None Of This Is Right boldly opens the album with fierce guitars, it is intense, demanding of attention both from shock and the forceful tone, that only lets up for the vocals line. Counteracting that force is a lighter, cheerful guitar riff which gently pokes through and appears intermittently throughout the song. Not shying away from hard topics, it discusses an unhealthy situation and lead singer Nikki Smash’s mental state “there’s a bomb in my head… you’re so wrong for me”, there is a raw honesty in the lyrics, almost a confessional outlet. The bold guitars bring the opening song to a close, creating a nice circular feel and satisfactory end.
Title track DeaDHead gets underway with softer guitars and delicately placed cymbals before pounding through hooky riffs in this powerful and a brutally honest depiction of depression. Constable’s bass line features prominently telling its own wordless story of pain and despair. In comparison She Said is a more relaxed, melody driven song, with a hint of NIVARNA in both vocals and guitars as well as a pop-punk element. Lyrically it’s less complex, opting for the vague ‘ohh’ to describe a battle with anxiety to tie in with the loss of clarity that can come from that.
THE ROCKET DOLLS have taken convention and introduced it to a sledge hammer; The Last Thing On My Mind opens with a theatrical sound, it’s big and bold, grand finale of an concert bold. It’s not in the same intimidating way as None Of This Is Right, rather an optimistic sound, triumphant. Another gentler song, the lead is definitely taken by Nikki’s vocals which soar triumphantly and patiently narrates his story. In comparison, Stop the Dead Men Crying has used gain on the vocals which distances them from the track. Through all the struggles and issues described in the album, it also includes an important reminder to appreciate those around you, your family and friends, in relation to emotional struggles that life throws at you.
The Desperate picks up the pace, driven guitars and determined singing coupled with a little bit of screaming creates an upbeat melody that bounds along under its own steam. In life it’s hard to avoid politics as it affects everything, so it follows that politics makes an appearance in music as well, in this case in a lively, energy driven tune. The Desperate is cleverly written as politics will carry on going and changing no matter what or who is involved, a sentiment which is mirrored in the seemingly boundless energy of the melody.
Trigger draws the album to a close, with a strong bass line reflecting None Of This Is Right introduction and neatly bringing DeaDHead full circle. The anger is palpable, short bursts of vocals spit out opinions and statements in an angst teen manner. In the end, the guitars lose the rough edges and become more melodic, playing faster to send off the track and the album.
Creating something new and innovative is difficult, it often seems like everything has been done before, but THE ROCKET DOLLS have managed it. DeaDHead is creative, bold, at times unexpected and not once boring and never shying away from the important issues, covering anxiety, mental illness, and politics, to mention a few. Hooky riffs join hands with driven guitars and unrestrained drums bound through eleven songs, soaring and falling – sometimes gracefully, but not always – telling the story of THE ROCKET DOLLS.
Rating: 8/10
DeaDHead is out now via self-release.
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