The Dollyrots “Daydream Explosion”
The Dollyrots are one of the best sounding punk-pop bands and have been going strong since 2004. Versatile singer/bassist Kelly Ogden and guitarist Luis Cabezas deliver a joyous mix of vocal sass and fast guitar riffs starting with “Animal.” Ogden’s vocals have a distinctive range that goes from a dreamy coo to an aggressive snarl in the standout “In Your Face.” It’s like a perfect blend of The Go Gos and Blink 182, as Kelly sings “I’ve got friends who’ve got my back, I got things I wanna say, I will do what I can, right in your face!” Fans of Bowling For Soup, Weezer and Joan Jett will just eat this up.
“Naked,” “Talk Too Much” and “I Love You Instead” are catchy standouts with choruses that stick fast in your head, and stay with you. Stylistically the band moves around with slower pop tempos like “Watching The Storm Go By” and “Flippy in My Red Dress” which transforms from smokey jazz to aggressive pop. The songs are all relatable while shining a light on female independence, especially on “No Princess.” Not a single weak song and loaded with energy makes this an excellent party album and super highly recommended.
The Armoires “Zibaldone”
Eclectic pop combo, The Armoires are an amalgam of folk, world, rock and pop lead by the duo of Christina Bulbenko and Rex Broome. The sound draws from many different places and recalls The Go-Betweens, Byrds, and Fleetwood Mac. The violin played by Christina’s daughter Larysa is a prominent fixture, along with Rex’s jangling guitar on the opener “Appalachukrainia.” The band sounds inspired by Camper Van Beethoven on “Pushing Forty,” almost daring father time with the lyrics “I hope I live before I get old.” The band’s fluid harmonies are present on “McCadden” and the catchy “(How Did You) A Mistake Like Me)” is a big highlight with it’s Rickenbacker melody.
The band moves around stylistically, from steel pedal mid-tempo “Satellite Business” to the off-Broadway quirk of “Is Drama Sue Here?” The band is assisted by producer Steven Wilson (Plasticsoul) and a bevy of artists from the Big Stir Record label. And when it comes musicianship, they all have the goods. The band spreads around the vocal duties often having multiple leads, which doesn’t always work. But when it flows right, the musical stories of the band’s travels are warm and inviting. Check it out.
