Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be

Review by Baer in Rock - Pop on 04 14th, 2010 | 4 responses

Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be

I am trying my best not to sound sexist, but for the most part, groups comprised of “all girls” are often be written off as a gimmick by critics. The Donnas are certainly not the prime example I would want for any prospective musically inclined daughter of mine to have. Dum Dum Girls on the other hand? They seem to be the anomaly of girl groups, and that is quite welcome.

I Will Be does an admirable job of mashing pure pop with punk and a bit of haze. A simple style and a late 1960’s feel to the album makes for a refreshing listen. Punk oozes from this quartet, with not a single track tipping over the 3:50 mark, and most of them hovering around two minutes. Speedy drums that were mixed extremely high make their mark on nearly every track.

The solo slow paced closer “Baby Don’t Go” sounds as if it was recorded next to the nearest beach, with decrees of, “Baby don’t go, maybe I’ll be back someday.” “It Only Takes One Night” suits as a bombastic and blistering opener, while “O Mein M” is a track sung entirely in German. Crackling and echoed vocals add to the allure of an older feel.

Dum Dum Girls’ first big release resides under the Sub Pop label, a bit of a coming out party for sure. Eleven tracks come in at just under 30 minutes, which of course is short, but the album feels complete as is. A very interesting album on the whole, it leaves me excited for future Dum Dum Girls projects. Constantly a head-bopper, the pop infused lyrics leave for an upbeat experience. I reckon it is tough to be taken completely seriously as a girl group, but this album does not beg for it. It demands for your full attention.

Track List:
1. It Only Takes One Night
2. Bhang Bhang, I’m A Burnout
3. Oh Mein M
4. Jail LA LA
5. Rest Of Our Lives
6. Yours Alone
7. Blank Girl
8. You Will Be
9. Lines Her Eyes
10. Everybody’s Out
11. Baby Don’t Go

Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be, reviewed by Baer on 2010-04-14T13:25:24-07:00 rating 4.0 out of 5

4 Responses about “Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be”

Anonymous says:

04/14/2010 at 1:38 pm

Awesome girl bands: ESG, The Slits, The Raincoats, Lilliput / Kleenex, Explode into Colors, the Coathangers. Do some research before you dismiss a shitload of great music as a gimmick.
Ben says:

04/14/2010 at 1:55 pm

The author is NOT saying that there aren’t amazing bands out there with “all girl” ensembles. He’s simply saying that those groups are often faced with an uphill battle when it comes to critics.
It’s very clear from the rest of the write up(it helps when you read the entire review) that the author is endeared to this band because of their music. Not because of, or in spite of, their gender.
Charles says:

04/14/2010 at 3:21 pm

There’s also the Runaways, L7, Biker Sluts from Hell, Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, Team Dresch, Tribe 8, Slant 6, Girlschool, Go-Gos (to say nothing of devastating female musicians…Kim Shattuck, Kembra Pfahler, Jarboe, Yoshimi P-We, Kim Gordon, a LOT of fucking et ceteras here). Okay, they didn’t all “rock” but they sure as shit existed in a musical landscape lorded over and overpopulated by men and they did so LOUDLY. Unfortunately, in a patriarchal landscape it’s difficult (at best) to exist as a female performer without first being considered for your sex. Look at what happened on the set of “These Dreams”. Now, perhaps “gimmick” is not necessarily the best phrase to consider the rampant objectification of anything feminine. I mean, the fucking Spice Girls are gimmicks (eagerly willing to be exploited for cash and superfame). The Donnas are (were?) just a shitty Ramones ripoff. But the use of the term speaks to something honest. Female musicians, particularly those existing in an all-female company are decidedly spare in the public eye. That fucking sucks. Hopefully Dum Dum Girls can help change that.
Remember Riot Grrrl? Bratty and misguided as that movement was at times it changed the fucking world.
And that purpose can happen again…openly.
Anonymous says:

04/27/2010 at 5:17 pm

what about salt n peppa? a gimmick? some of their shit was early-to-mid 90’s hot fiah!

Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be

4 Responses about “Dum Dum Girls – I Will Be”

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