In My Head and Coming Down have that feeling of songs being written because they had to and that’s the acid test for me.
In My Head and Coming Down have that feeling of songs being written because they had to and that’s the acid test for me.
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Another fine release from the Dum Dum Girls; despite the flagrant sixties styling there’s a real presence about the music and a strong personality and intelligence at work. I think that’s because the Dum Dum Girls realise the importance of really trying to put your feelings and opinions down in a record; sounding good just really isn’t enough. In My Head and Coming Down have that feeling of songs being written because they had to and that’s the acid test for me.
It does help that they can write cracking tunes: Bedroom Eyes and Teardrops on My Pillow are wonderful sugar coated paeans to love and the last track Hold Your Hand is possibly the strongest on the LP, a track with a real sense of dramatic melancholy and aided by a tremendously familiar little refrain (it’s from some sixties cult film I think, a pint rendered if anyone can remind me). Now and again there are passages that do seem to be going through the motions, such as the verses on Just A Creep or Heartbeat, but these moments are quickly binned when the vocals take control; there’s a real sense of the band finding their voice on this release.
Real rock and roll.