Let's get one thing straight. Unless you are going to fashion some completely new means of producing sound from previously unknown and unheard alien technology, ALL music has history and origins. Last time I saw, and wrote about, the Dum Dum Girls, I was dismayed to read other august publications criticising the Girls for being somehow and allegedly stuck in a dead end of sixties pastiche and that simply isn't the case. For sure, like the nose of a decent bottle of red, this new record has hints all over it of anything from Link Wray to Chrissie Hynde, moments of Mazzy Star at their most Mary Chain, but these elements are just that, hints and echoes, the music and the noise is all DDG's own, and the finer for it.

 

That last time I caught up with the band was at Dingwalls, mere months ago in April. Much as I liked their delivery then, in the meantime there has been a monstrous leap forward, in the form of the song writing for new album Only In Dreams (out Sept 27). Sure the lyrics are often still pulling tales of teen angst and it still shimmers like sun on the Pacific. It's the strength of the melody that's leapt; that and the relative swagger of the delivery that punch these tunes smack centre into the listener's consciousness and embed them there. Play a game for me and start with 'Coming Down' - seventh track in - for no other reason than it's a million miles away from the California surf harmonies that you might be expecting (and will find elsewhere on the record). In fact, if this gloriously heavy song references anything, it's that other SoCal, the underbelly and depressiveness previously picked up by paisley underground bands in the 80's.

 

Do I sound like I'm impressed with this album? Oh yes indeedy, only their second long player and they've stepped up to the premier league. My review copy has been on the stereo for a week now - it's at serious risk of getting worn clean through.

 

Originally Dum Dum Girls was just Dee Dee, and on previous output, despite the arrival of the rest of the band, she has been the dominant force. That remains the case, but this time out, all four girls play and sing. Production is by Richard Gottehrer of Blondie and Go-Go’s fame. He's done the honours before, but this time has Raveonette Sune Rose Wagner along too.