Reign in Blonde [noun; plural] - Two tall, blonde chicks who bring the metal. We're not know-it-alls, and we don't report the news. This is our blog where we simply discuss what's on our brutal minds. Bon Appetit.
Recently while I was gettin’ chatty with metal counterparts on the year’s new releases, I noted that nothing was really blowing me away just yet. Little did I know that a few days later, I would get that “WOW factor” album I had been waiting for. Ladies and gentlemen…Daughters:
Daughters and I go back a few years. Soon after the release of their spazzy grind masterpiece, Canada Songs in 2003, I saw them tear the roof off a multi-purpose room at some random college in NJ. (Fond memories, indeed.) When Hell Songs arrived in 2006, I was shocked to hear they had toned things down, and that their singer switched to cleaner Rockabilly-esque vocals. But I was stoked when I realized it totally worked for them! And now comes their self-titled release, Daughters, which I will argue is their best work to date, and probably one of the best albums I’ve heard in years.
Daughters is not much like the first album, and not quite like their second either. It’s got its own revitalized flavor. Think of a more polished Jesus Lizard, or perhaps a more revved up Arab on Radar. (Lots of people seem to have no idea who I’m talking about when I refer to Arab on Radar, so if you don’t either, please acquaint yourself.) In other words, this record is exhilarating. Songs like “The First Supper” and “Our Queens” maintain a sort of “classic” jerk back-and-forth schtick that the band mastered a long time ago. And then there’s smoother rock jams like “The Hit” and “The Theatre Goer” that have those epic sorta riffs that’ll hit you right there. Daughters are one of those bands that just understand what the fuck I want to hear: reckless, groovy, oddly danceable…noise. And the fact that they were able to achieve this in more than one way over the years shows what a superior beast they truly are. Yay for bands who don’t write the same album over and over!
Then there’s the bad news: An album I find so incredibly awesome, is an album I will probably never hear live. Prior to this record’s release, there was some sort of spat amongst Daughter’s members, causing what I guess could be considered a “break-up.” They haven’t explicitly SAID that the band is completely done, but they apparently have no plans to tour, so….it’s not looking good. Such a shame, considering this is already a high contender for my album of the year.
Check out Daughters on MySpace. And dagnabbit, get the album! Maybe if we can generate enough buzz, they’ll come to their senses and get back together! Maybe…?
Blood and Shutter recently brought these limited edition Daughters t-shirt designs to my attention, and they are creepy as hell. They all feature a different girl crying…tissues and all. You can purchase them on the Hydra Head online store. Their new self-titled album (which features similar art) is out today!
I often wonder how my mother would react if she saw merch items like this. I remember back a few years ago when I had this tote bag with a picture of a bloody Marilyn Monroe on it and my whole family thought it was the most gruesome thing they had ever laid eyes on. Since then, I’ve made sure to avoid wearing anything around them that might cause them to make annoying comments. Band t-shirts, shiny black leggings….I’ll even cut down on the black altogether. I don’t even own anything THAT bad…nothing all that bad at all, actually. (No unreadable logos for me, thank you). But my mom even thinks my Tom Jones tee is weird. Seriously.
Do any of you also tone down your “style” when you’re with your family?
There was much reflecting during my ride back to New York, yesterday. The past few days have been cuckoo bananas. Between a very late drunken night with the coolest of cool peeps, the stench of bleach penetrating my head my absolutely natural hair color, the most awkward dinner conversation I have ever had with my parents to date, and uhhh…Jews, my head’s been a whirl. I put the iPod on shuffle and attempted to pass out.
Suddenly, a familiar tune came on: “Jones From Indiana” by Daughters. Fuck yeah, Daughters, I thought. Wait, DAUGHTERS? It suddenly hit me that I have absolutely neglected this band for quite some time. What have they been up to? Last I remember, they released Hell Songs back in 2006, but as it turns out, there was an EP put out earlier this year, 2002 EP, that somehow slipped under my radar.
Oh, boys. I’m pretty sure you don’t want to speak to me at the moment, but let’s think back to those good ol’ days…
When I used to indulge myself in 11 min rock out sessions in my room to your album which was only that long.
When I saw you in that shitty multi-purpose room at that community college in central New Jersey that got shut down early because you were playing in a shitty multi-purpose room at a community college in central New Jersey.
When I pointed and laughed at all the fat chicks trying to dance at said show.
That shirt of yours that I had with the whale on it, which I then threw out because I accidentally shrunk it in the dryer.
When I forced Julia to play that one “Nurse, Would You Please Prep The Patient For The Sexual Doctor” song over and over on her college radio show BECAUSE I LOVED IT SO. <3
Oh hey, you’re working on a new album!!!!!1 I’m going to make it up to you guys so hard the next time you’re in town! (Not like that, dbags.)
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