Dum Dum Girls
Only in Dreams
Sub Pop
by David Chiu
Dum Dum Girls second full-length album, Only in Dreams, could potentially be the female quartet’s breakthrough. It’s a brilliant follow-up to I Will Be–its seems more accessible-sounding than the previous one–but still retains the group’s signature sound: a combination of the ’60s girl group sounds, Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production, garage rock and punk, and lyrics of romantic yearning. “Always Looking” gets the record off to a rocking start that continues through the upbeat and poppy “Bedroom Eyes” and the energtic, rockabilly “Wasted Away.” “Just a Creep” would be so perfect for Nancy Sinatra as it is reminiscent of “These Boots are Made for Walking”; “Coming Down” is a dreamy ballad and the shimmering mid-tempo rocker “Hold Your Hand” closes the album on a romantic note. Singer Dee Dee harkens thel vocals of the girl groups with a dash of Chrissie Hynde. Sophomore jinx doesn’t apply in this case of Dum Dum Girls’ strongest effort.
NewBeats 