The band existence is based  on Sally. This is the first time that I have come across this concept in music. Doll has taken themselves and transformed themselves into Sally, therefore having all their songs consist of the life that is Sally. I think that this is a great idea because it is not done all that very often,  I find it also helps give more of a vast meaning to the lyrics inside of each song.

Doll in my mind is highly vocal and lyrical driven band. As for the vocals go for the album I would give Doll top marks in the vocal arrangement and lyrics. One of my favourite aspects about the vocals is how Christina can create such a metal rasp then  in the next line have it completely change into a clean cut rock sound without any carry over from the metal rasp. One of my favourite songs for vocal changes is the third song entitled Tired of Pretending. Another great aspect about Doll is the fact that they carry a excellent rhythm throughout many of their songs, and they are catchy none the less. I have heard many grunge and metal bands where each member of the band seems to be playing an entire different song all together .Along with the excellent rhythms Doll creates a few  catchy hooks at the start of songs and also buried mid track as well. This is what really makes me a fan of this album, the fact that they give out wicked sounding vocals, interesting lyrics and the all so important  catchy hooks and rhythms.

The members of Doll include Christina on Vocals and Guitar, Pete on Guitar, Julie-Anne on Vocals and  Bass Guitar, and on Drums Nick. 

Inside The Dollhouse consists of  eleven songs. There are two filler tracks to fill in the void for the bonus track. One of the filler entries is where the eerie part of the album really comes alive. There is a wind up toy which plays music pretty much what you would hear in a horror movie, it gives the album a Marilyn Manson darkness feel to the album.

One of my favourite songs off of Inside The Dollhouse is the first song entitled “Daddy’s Little Girl”. This was the song that really grabbed my attention when they played in Kingston. The opening scream that Christina gets out is all you need to hear and your  mind is sucked into the song right away. Throughout the song the vocals continually take the song above most grunge/metal bands. The vocals are raw and gratifying, they bring the meaning and the life out in the lyrics. As I said before when the music itself sounds great “Daddy’s Little Girl” is a perfect example. On top of the vocals the drums and guitars gives the song the boost to the next level. They rhythm to the song is tough to describe rather you should have a listen for your self. Everything in the song works together perfectly, this should be the song that brings the band to the mainstream.

“Grunge Never Died” probably comes in as one of the heavier songs on the album if that is really possible. All the songs on the album are heavy and in your face, and this song really pumps up the volume on the stereo.  Unfortunately it is one of the shorter songs on the album, that is usually the way though one of the songs that you like a lot seems to be cut short. I would like to hear an extended version of this song, including more of the bass solo that kicks in around half way through the song. The drums in this song really gets into the middle of your skull if you are wearing headphones that are jacked up to the max. The vocals again I can’t get away from not mentioning.  The deep rawness of the vocals literally takes flight in this song, but I think this is one of the few songs where I enjoyed the guitars more than the vocals even though there is a small gap between them.

If you can’t make it out to one of their shows which I really urge you to catch, you have to pick up their album on their website www.dollband.net.

Matt Hartwick
m.hartwick@partyinkingston.com