One-Eyed Doll

Break

Kimberly Freeman - Guitar, Vocals

Junior - Drums, Bass, Special Fx

I found this next band by surfing the website known as Facebook. I took a listen to some of the tracks that they had posted and I knew I needed more so I dug deeper. One-Eyed Doll is known as a goth punk duo. They have won Best Punk Band in 2009, 2010, 2011 at the SXSW festival. From what I have read, the duo has been described as being many bands morphed into one. They were formed in 2008 and has release numerous albums, but only 3 commercially. The third of those commercial releases is the album we will be diving into titled Break. The album was released in 2010 and features 12 tracks. Kimberly also released another album in 2011 which we will dive into as well, but on a different page. Break gets going with “Airplane Man.” The track is simple sounding with clear vocals and solid tunes. Kimberly lets out some long winded notes along with some steady cords. The vibe of the track is good and would get any crowd going some, but the lyrics leave something on the table. They really don't give up a lot as they repeat a good portion of the track. “Beautiful Freak” kicks off with a nice little into before the vocals come strolling with a much better lyrical set. They still repeat, but not like the opening track. I really like the music too. The guitars go off while the drums hit hard. The special effects are well placed throughout the track as well. This is a tune I can see a lot of people enjoying time and time again. “Murder Ballad” slows the album for an emotional number. The simple music gives a platform for the vocals that give up a powerful set of lyrics. The lyrical content is a bit weird, but I think it will still draw some people to it. It’s one of those tracks that you just sit and/or stand listening in silence. “See Jane Run” turns the tempo back up for another 4 minute track. I really like the overall vibe of the music during this track as you can really get into it. There is also some extra stuff going on during the track that spices it up some. Again, though, the lyrical content is a bit shaky. I don't feel like there is much depth to them. There are spots for the band to get the crowd into the song, but as an album track it doesn’t cut it. “Cinderblock” is a decent track with another strange lyrical set. It does have a nice vibe and offers up some opportunities for a crowd to get involved in the track. The track just seems to trudge along. The titled track “Break” ends the first half of the album with an upbeat track with huge drums and great guitars. The track goes through huge momentum shifts. It changes tempos with a big swing that is sure to get an eruption from a crowd. Those transitions are clean and will excite you. I really enjoyed the track as a whole as well the individual elements of the track. “Bumble Bee” begins extremely weird and builds up to a mini explosion. It takes a very long time getting to that point however, and you might not stick around that long. Once it does get going half way through it sounds alright, but the beginning part of the song doesn’t help it out. “Redneck Love Song” goes country. You can tell that they are having fun with this tune as they change nearly everything they have done prior on this album. They have background voices like it’s a live audience and the vocals get all bubbly and giggly for the number. It will give you a little chuckle the first few times through, but after that you might just skip it. “Murder Suicide” is a very serious sounding track. The vocals are low and drawn out. It takes on the vibe that it is a serious number, but with the lyrical content I really don't think that is the case. It’s just a strange number that you will once again just fit yourself staring off into space. “Sucker Fish” is a darker sounding tune with muffled vocals. The guitars growl while the drums hit on some hard notes, but for the most part there isn’t much to keep you around. “New Orleans” opens up with killer vocals while Kimberly shows off her pipes. The drums in the back add the some depth to the track, but it’s all about the vocals in this tune. They are just amazing. “Resurrection” begins like the last tune, but they decide to add in some other sites and sounds. It’s a mediocre tune with not that much flash and dash which leaves it a bit on the boring side. It just seems flat for the most part. They do pick it up during the second half of the track like they switch gears, but the first half really doesn’t let you get that far on many occasions. That second part of the track does show off their skills in playing and mixing in effects. Overall I have mixed emotions about this track. There are a few tracks that I really dig and I can see a lot of people digging too. The vocals for the most part are solid. There are tracks that show off the pipes more than others and there was only one or two that the vocals didn’t shine. The music wasn’t bad. There were a few that they needed to step it up on, but I can hear the potential of the band.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Tracks to Watch:

Beautiful Freak, Break, New Orleans

Track List:

1. Airplane Man
2. Beautiful Freak
3. Murder Ballad
4. See Jane Run
5. Cinderblock
6. Break
7. Bumble Bee
8. Redneck Love Song
9. Murder Suicide
10. Sucker Fish
11. New Orleans
12. Resurrection

Website (s):  www.oneeyeddoll.com