DIRTY CHILDREN
"Shut
Off the World" (NoizyNinja; 2004)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
"Shut Off the World" is another retro CD that celebrates the popular alternative sounds of the late 80s or early 90s. Boasting energetic tunes that sometimes sound musically like The Clash with Chrissy Hyndes or Gwen Stefani on vocals, this CD is something that may not be welcomed by headbangers but is just punky enough to entertain fans of that genre.
Consisting mostly of FM radio friendly tunes a la The Pretenders or (as mentioned earlier) the Clash, "Shut Off the World" is more successful than other re-visitors to the era because of their charismatic performance and songwriting style as well as the above-average vocals of lead throat Nadia Fay. Fay isn't the only impressive musician in the band but, as the lead vocalist, she's the most obvious and her performance here is strong enough to bring to mind the powerhouses of Stefani and Hyndes.
Dirty Children could wind up enjoying enormous success via radio the same way White Stripes did. Their music may not appeal to everybody but it's just fresh enough and yet familiar enough to create a huge fanbase for the band.
Dirty Children: Nadia Fay - vocals, keys; Jay Condiotti - guitars, bass; Kenny Aronoff - drums; Todd Wolf - drums on "Keep Running."
For more information, check out www.dirtychildrenmusic.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2005 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
