Over the past six years, the Dum Dum Girls have evolved from solo bedroom project to indie blog darlings. Their first two albums, 2010’s I Will Be and 2011’s Only In Dreams, won the band legions of fans for their uptempo, lo-fi recordings which were likened to Best Coast or Wavves. But with their 2012 EP, End of Daze that sound began to change. The jaunty pace of the past was replaced with something more plodding and the sunny vibes began to darken. The journey down this path continues on Too True.
From the first notes of opening track “Cult of Love,” it is apparent Too True is not going to be like any of the previous Dum Dum Girls’ full lengths. The reverbed guitars over a driving beat sound more like DIIV than Dee Dee Penny’s songwriting. The reverbed madness continues on tracks like “Rimbaud Eyes,” “Too True to Be Good,” and the album’s lead single “Lost Boys and Girls Club.” All three tracks seemed steeped in 80s darkwave feel, like something straight out of a Siouxsie and the Banshees’ album. Although the latter track is somehow reminiscent of ‘Til Tuesday’s biggest hit, “Voices Carry.”
But the 80s-drenched tracks work surprisingly well for the Dum Dum Girls. Unsurprisingly, it is mostly due to Dee Dee’s unrelenting ear for catchy hooks. Although it may not be immediately recognizable to the average Dum Dum Girls fan, upon multiple listens the true pop genius of the album becomes more and more apparent, making it one of the most solid outings from the quartet yet.
Rating: 8.3/10
MP3: Dum Dum Girls “Cult of Love”
Buy: iTunes or Amazon
