If Motley Crue were bitten by zombies and resurrected with instruments in-hand, they’d probably sound a lot like MURDERDOLLS.
With elements of punk and glam infiltrating the metallic crunch, WOMEN & CHILDREN LAST could be the soundtrack of an alternate-reality Sunset Strip, running upside-down and beneath the streets.
Whether the result of osmosis from touring with other fright-fueled bands in their other gigs, or simply the natural course of evolution, the overdue second album from the band is not only an improvement over their 2002 debut, but a huge leap forward.
With WEDNESDAY 13 and JOEY JORDISON back in the saddle for a second go, Jordison (Slipknot drummer, handling guitar duties here) has been quoted as stating that he feels this album is the “first true Murderdolls album,” and it’s easy to see why.
Everything about WOMEN AND CHILDREN is better. The recording, the songwriting, and the performances are all a step up from when we last heard from the band – and the album sounds like a cohesive production as opposed to a bunch of DOPE b-sides with a dash of ‘Knot and ’13 dropped in.
As evident on the advance single “My Dark Place Alone,” there’s a groove present here that emerges throughout the album on cuts like “Death Valley Superstars,” and “Homicide Drive.” “Summertime Suicide” stands out as one of the more glam-fueled numbers, alongside “Rock N Roll is All I Got.”
Is it wrong that hearing Wednesday 13 mention a car crash on “Blood Stained Valentine” makes me think of an undead Vince Neil? There’s a history there…
Rating: 4/5
