The Birthday Massacre - Violet (Metropolis)

Do you remember the first time you heard your favorite band? Chances are that it was an unforgettable experience, thus becoming your favorite artist for a reason. That was what happened to me when I first heard the almighty Alice In Chains in the summer of 1990. Such was the case for me a second time when I was introduced to the sweet, sweet nectar that is The Birthday Massacre. While I really liked the sound, I sort of dismissed them as a Deadsy ripoff; a heavily distorted, synthesizer-rich, retro industrial sound that really catches you with it's groove like a sonic fish hook. Although not their official debut release, Violet was their first on a formidable label and it really shows in the production. I'd even go so far as to say that it's almost over-produced. Almost, but not quite. Something about the feel of the record screams "80's" to me - a something not necessarily just in the sound. Frontwoman Chibi, aside from having the sweetest voice this side of the Heavenly Choir, has the schtick down pat: Catholic school uniform, pigtails, and patent-leather chunky shit-kickers. The rest of the band provide a boulder-solid foundation for her to give you chills with the enigmatic and spooky Blue, the robotic stomp of Horror Show, and every other track on this disc. There is absolutely NO filler at all. I mean, you COULD just sit there and listen to your old 80's records, or you could fall in love for the first time: again.


-C. Kolakowski