Dirty Little Rabbits - Dirty Little Rabbits
CD Info
2010
The End Records
11 Tracks
English Lyrics
Members of big and famous bands often go on to start side projects. Whether these projects are successful is kind of a coin toss. Some go on to be as big as the bands they came off of, others are quickly abandoned after one album (if any). The successful American band Slipknot has spawned many of the former type; Corey Taylor fronts the successful Stone Sour while drummer Joey Jordison has had decent success with Murderdolls. Dirty Little Rabbits was the vision of Slipknot’s other drummer, Shawn Crahan (also known as Clown or #6). Teaming up with vocalist Stella Katsoudas (ex-Sister Soleil), Crahan formed the band in 2007 and, after two EPs that gave us a small taste of what the band was about, released their self-titled debut in July 2010.
Ok, so this isn’t exactly metal, but Dirty Little Rabbits has obvious ties with Slipknot, has toured with bands like Lacuna Coil, and recently found themselves on the Vans Warped Tour playing 16 shows of the festival’s summer schedule, showing off their unique and quirky creepy circus alt-rock style to the masses.When I went to buy the album, the lady at the register asked me what the band sounded like, since she was contemplating buying the CD. I found myself lost for words, not able to find any way to describe them so someone new to the band might understand. They’re certainly unique, and don’t really sound like any other band I’ve heard lately. I suppose it would be classified as some sort of alternative rock, but I don’t use the word "alternative" lightly here. You have quirky, uptempo songs like "I Love You" and "The Didn’ts", and you also have tracks like "Simon," "Leave Me Alone," and "Rabbit Holes" that have a creepy carnival vibe to them (thanks to some clever use of an organ of sorts). There are some emotive slower songs like "You Say" and the ballad "If", and then you have hard-hitting songs like "Professional Hit" and "Put it in the Rock" that kind of slap you in the face. Fans who bought the Simon EP will see that some of the songs from that release made it onto this album: "You Say," "Hello," and "Happy."
There’s one thing that really gives each song its own identity, and that’s Stella. She might not be able to scream like Maria Brink or upstage an opera singer like Tarja, but she’s got the gift of versatility, that’s for sure. Not many singers can go from sounding like they’re going to bite your head off to crooning an emotive ballad, from putting on a cutsey girly front to sounding like a creepy child from a horror movie. I’ve heard someone describe her after seeing the band live as "bat shit insane" and I think that pretty much covers it. But that should be taken as a compliment. It’s what makes this band different from anyone else.
Standout songs include "Simon," "You Say," "Professional Hit," "Leave Me Alone," and "Rabbit Holes." Fans of Stolen Babies and Diablo Swing Orchestra will probably enjoy this CD.
8.5/10
