Album Review - The Dollyrots / Barefoot and Pregnant

It is always interesting when you discover a band later in their career.  Especially when it is 10 years and 5 albums into their career.  This is the case with The Dollyrots.  I didn't hear their older material first.  I started off with their new album.

The Dollyrots are the bubblegum punk, husband and wife duo of singer/bassist Kelly Ogden and guitarist Luis Cabezas.  For 10 years they have been releasing smart, fun, power-pop punk but I had not heard of them until Randy Now announced that they would be playing a show at his Man Cave.  When I decided I needed to heart them 'Barefoot and Pregnant' was the first album I listened too.

From there I went backwards.  Going back to earlier in their career there are some great moments.  Songs like 'Jackie Chan' and 'Because I'm Awesome' are true highlights.




With the earlier releases I didn't find myself listening all of the way through as I did with 'Barefoot & Pregnant'.  It is a strong album all the way through.  I don't want to say they've grown up. The energy and the fun is still there.  They've just gotten better at it.  Actually, they have perfected it.  From beginning until the end it is a party in 2 minute segments.  There are four or five songs that could easily be singles.  Songs like 'Get Weird', 'Stupidly In Love', 'First World Anarchist', and 'Bury Me In Ireland' get you moving like a handful of uppers.  Flat out, they just make you smile. 

 

Their lyrics are smart and fun.  They relate to 16 year olds and 46 year olds.  This is the first album in a long time that I found myself looking up lyric sheets so that I could sing along.

"I drink my wine
From a beer stein
I wear my shades
In the night time
I wash my face
With body wash
My lyrics don’t rhyme
Perfectly
Society you’re so oppressive
Come join me and fight the system"

It true Bubblegum-Power Pop-Punk goodness.  It's catchy hooks are never ending. The album stays strong from start to finish.  There are songs that immediately catch your attention but after a few listens songs like the beautiful 'Nightlight' or the MCR-esque 'Worsties' start to rise to the top.  If you buy the album from the website there are bonus tracks available including a cover of 'I Wanna Be Sedated' by The Ramones.  It's a no brainer.  And if you get a chance to see them live you need to. Kelly and Luis are the cutest couple ever.  The fun that they are having comes through in the music.

See you when the needle drops!

Fran

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