by Derric Miller
— Managing Editor —
The world is a laughably dark place. It’s always been this way, unfortunately, and certain bands wallow in said darkness with morbid bleakness, drying scabs and dreams of eternal pitch-black death. Fortunately for the world, there are bands like The Dollyrots who are the exact opposite–happy, fun, musical, and about as jubilant a sound as you could ever hope for. The band, made of the perchance the nicest married couple on earth, have released their new studio album Daydream Explosion, just in time to keep the apocalypse at bay for a while.
The band has experimented with a rawer sound in the past, as with the 2014 album Barefoot and Pregnant, but that was never really their forte. Eighties’ inspired hits, though, that are both Pop Punk and catchier than chicken box in a concentration camp, well, THAT’S Daydream Explosion in a nutshell, and it’s almost unbearably good.
Do you like The Ramones? Check out the second track, “Everything.” It has a bit of a “Rockaway Beach” vibe to it, and Ogden stretches her vocals here in a way that isn’t heard as often in the past. She’s always been a strong singer, and their music doesn’t demand abnormal musicality from the musicians or vocals, but this is her best delivery in albums. And it might not be her best vocal just on this release …
“In Your Face” isn’t just an ’80s style composition. It IS, but the roots go both deeper and more currently. How is that even possible? Well, the verses and choruses should not be on the same song–only The Dollyrots can mesh Nirvana-type riffs, ’60s pop crooning, Spice Girl anthemic power and … well, whatever else you think you hear. Everything is right with this song, almost in spite of itself, if that’s even possible.
Ogden can croon. It’s a soothing, near-whispery delivery at times (although she can blow up speakers with power when need be) and a smart example of that is “Watching the Storms Go By.” You may need to go in for hearing test if this one doesn’t hit you in the head, heart and soul.
“Flippy in My Red Dress” is a crazy song. Fifties-style talk-singing? Is that en vogue? Because if it wasn’t, it is now. If you are not a smoker, you may start smoking immediately after hearing this. Slick back your hair (although a duck butt would be better) and try to be the coolest cat you can, daddy-o.
It all comes to a dreamy end on “Daisy’s Song.” Their compositions, while nearly over-produced at times on Daydream Explosion, just sing a more enchanting siren song when it’s pared down as much as possible. Cabezas’ guitar playing is so honest; he doesn’t need any effects, and when he’s steering the song with his riffs and Ogden is accompanying him, that’s always going to be as good as The Dollyrots ever sound.
So if/when you find that darkness imprisoning you, never fear. The Dollyrots and their music will always be your light in the dark. That doesn’t always mean you will dance, or bounce like you want to, but it will make you smile both on the inside and outside. That’s always a great place to start …
Genre: Pop Punk/Rock
Band:
Kelly Ogden-bass, lead vocals
Luis Cabezas-guitars, vocals
Tracklisting:
1. Animal
2. Everything
3. In Your Face
4. Naked
5. Last Ones on Earth
6. I Love You Instead
7. Watching the Storms Go By
8. I Know How to Party
9. Kat’s Meow
10. No Princess
11. Flippy in My Red Dress
12. Oblivious
13. Talk Too Much
14. Daisy’s Song
Label: Wicked Cool Records
Online:
www.dollyrots.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(8.4 / 10)
