Note: Revenge of the 80s will be featuring new and upcoming projects by artists from the 80s New Wave era both on the radio program and on this blog. The first will be Dollshouse — a band founded by former Voice of the Beehive bassist Martin Brett.
Martin Brett, who was the bassist for Voice of the Beehive, did not leave that band’s signature sound far behind when he formed hsi new group, Dollshouse. Now on lead guitar, Brett recruitied bass man Alec Boston and a very unique female vocalist Alexandsa Palace to mold ths heavily 80s-influenced sound and bring it to the present. WIth some synth backing up its featured guitars, Dollshouse presents its own unique sound, proven quickly in “Baby Baby (Come Out With Me),” thw first track from their debut CD, Happiness is Toy Shaped. The guitars are turned up and Palace’s sultry vocal stylings hypnotize a listener into wanting more — immediately.
Dollshouse does not dissapoint from expectations after the first track, as Brett’s and Boston’s high-energy guitar playing drives the next song, “Come On.” I completely empathize with Dollhouse here because I,too, have had blisters from synergy — or worse — at times, but this blog is probably not the place to get into that.
Throughout the CD, Palace’s vocal presence brings one to imagine a combination of Polly Styrene and Chrissie Hynde: seductive, but with a powerful edge. This shows through in the ballads like “Angel” or “Like a Man” as much as it does in the more upbeat tracks like “Suicide.”
As a grroup, Dollshouse takes the best elements of 80s Alternative Pop and adds heavy guitar emphasis remeniscent of Brett’s years with Voice of the Beehive. The result a special blend of music seemingly tailored to each member’s talents.
Revenge of the 80s Radio will feature a track from Happiness is Toy Shaped on this Friday night’s (5/9) radio show.
Dollshouse is based in the United Kingdom. and gets plenty of airplay on several college stations this side of the pond. You can order a copy of Happiness is Toy Shaped through their MySPace page or Brettpack Records.
Dollshouse MP3 Download:
Dollshouse - \”Come On\”
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