The
Creepy Dolls (Pete Jones & Fred Suard)
Grand Finale EP
J.A.M UK
CREEP 101
Tracks:
EMERGENCY
/ NEUROTIC / GREY COAST / GRAND FINALE
Running Time:
review by Tim
Bucknall, February 2008
© 2008 Fodderstompf.com
The
rocky sound of this EP is as unexpected as it is welcome. Very different
to Pete's dark
electronic debut 'Twisted', but equally as good. This release
sees Pete teamed up with French guitarist Fred Suard. I wasn't familiar
with Fred's previous work but the description of "Guitar
Wizard" that I've seen used seems accurate. Fred is
a master of strange chords and unexpected chord progressions. Geordie
from Killing Joke would probably be the most useful comparison.
The 4 tracks here are pop songs in the
best possible sense of that word, and have already elicited some
interest from South Wales' new XFM radio station.
'Emergency' is a great choice of lead track, and a great demonstration
of Fred's clever melodic guitar. As you'd expect from Pete each
song is underpinned by a great bass groove.
The Creepy Dolls secret weapon is Pete's voice. It's completely unique.
A distinctive voice is half the battle; the other half is carrying
a catchy tune which Pete can do easily. Pete's first CD 'Twisted' featured
heavily treated vocals and samples, so Pete's voice is something
of a revelation.
The second track 'Neurotic' shows that lyrically Pete is still
successfully mining the fertile territory of bad relationships that
worked so well on 'Twisted'
& 'Neurotechnic'.
'Grey Coast' is a slower, reflective, but still forceful track. The
final track 'Grand Finale' will please anyone who ever loved the underrated
1982 PiL line-up. A Pete Jones trademark pumping bassline drives
the track along. It's topped with fantastic layers of shimmering
guitar and a fine way to close the EP.
This is a great EP, and I hope it does as well as it deserves to. I think it's been released at exactly the right time for this kind of music and lets hope this isn't really Pete's Grand Finale…
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