The ex-Distillers lead lady proves she is a venerable alchemist queen, embodying the essence of her own punk rock evolution in her latest, greatest project, Spinnerette. Integrated masterfully with band member of Eleven, Alain Johannes, and some of the boys of her former band, Brody and company weave beautiful webs of uncurbed, pop-glazed sonic lush.
If this addictive four-song set is a hint for what’s to come on the full length, take cover. In the Distllers, Dalle was harmonizing in her poise and catchy in her craft. But let’s face it, writing punk numbers can only tread so much new ground before appearing at an inevitable stasis. Purists, says what you will, but this performance doesn’t lie. In Spinnerette, Brody Dalle is connected to a rebirthing of herself that is thunderstorm apparent in this delicious 4 song handful.
The title track “Ghetto Love” thumps the dance floor grind loud and infectiously, churned by a relentless bass heavy fire that smells fragrant of Dalle’s husband and Queens of the Stone Age leader, Josh Homme’s grooves. “Hey now, there now, it’s a game to be played out,” sings Brody before she ignites a rebellious, rally punched, “Hey!” all the way across her riff jived soundscape.
While “Ghetto Love” is sassy, power soaked flare, “Valium Knights” is a much nobler groove, supercharged with a bass and drum intro that is sweet companion to Dalle’s vocal allure. “Fall into an abyss, won’t you give me just one last kiss,” pleads the tantalizing singer as Johannes splits the song wide open with a soothing rapture of guitar squall.
In “Distorting the Code” Dalle cues Shirley Manson and Blondie’s Deborah Harry for what sounds like a fairy tale ride through a guitar layered everglade. Acting as a comedown from the previous two tracks, the song is a stellar changeup that is excellent in raising the brow to the burning question—when is the full length album coming out?
The last track, “Bury My Heart” aids in the EP’s theme of intrepid quality filled songs unified under a solid similar sound, but each being different enough to explore new directions. Ghetto Love also has another cool theme which is front and center on “Bury My Heart”—sweeping guitar layered choruses polished and alive with electricity.
So yes, Spinnerette’s Ghetto Love is good, it’s really good. These four songs and their creative, inspiring nature play adept at dwarfing any of the rock, punk, or other music of the past year. Ghetto Love is everything an EP should be—diverse, to the point, and precise in laying an excellent foundation for what could be an amazing record later this year.
Friends Read Free