Wicked Little Dolls- Wicked Little Dolls

ARTIST: Wicked Little Dolls

ALBUM: Wicked Little Dolls

LABEL: Carnygoat Records

REVIEWER: Matthew J.

DATE: 6-20-07

Wicked Little Dolls have a definite schtick going on, but it works well on the band's self-titled debut. Combining the sort of psychotic doll aesthetic pioneered by groups like Jack Off Jill and Daisy Chainsaw with the deep and dirty metal groove of Sunset Strip sleaze rock, Wicked Little Dolls come off like Switchblade Symphony by way of Faster Pussycat, with high-pitched little girl vocals delivering sinister messages over dueling rock guitars on tracks like "Wanna Suicide" and "Trash Doll." Admittedly, the lyrics can get a bit repetitive in places, as on "Poppet," but the raw garage band energy and demonic toy box imagery more than makes up for it. "Dolls Gone Mad" and "Bloody Kisses" are pure evil fun, like a clove cigarette-scented version of The Runaways, and "Darling Mother" ups the glam rock quotient but juxtaposes it with chilling tales of child abuse and matricide. At just over half an hour, this album is just long enough to drill home the band's concept--they're dolls, they're evil, and they're on a sex and murder rampage--without belaboring the point too much. Check it out if you're in the mood for porcelain and razorblades.

Step inside the doll house and visit www.carnygoat.comt for more information.