Spinnerette

Having been a fan of Alain Johannes since his Eleven days, I took notice of this new release this week. Alain is a pop-rock songwriter who often managed to attack the genre with some originality and panache. Breaking into some minor chords and some Eastern influences here and there with non-standard transcendental meditative lyrics. This was seen throughout Eleven's career as well as his work with Chris Cornell.

Unfortunately, it seems like Alain has either streamlined for this effort, or maybe given the reigns almost completely to fellow bandleader Brody Dalle from the Distillers. Brody is an Australian chick and the Distillers, a punk band. The end result here is simple eighth-note pop-punk upbeat ditties.

Vocally, Brody is a riot grrrl. Distinction is not relevant. Lyrically, we discuss love, loss, relationships, sex with a vague hostility. But it's not brash enough or defined enough to congeal into anything that matters. I suppose it's meant to be accessibly vague for a wide audience of teenage girl Warped tour attendees to handle.

Musically, the band reminds me of Eagles Of Death Metal, except less clever or funny; and, of course the chick vocals. This is plainest in the opening track, the video of which is included below. The comparison isn't far fetched. Johannes works as a sideman in Queens Of The Stone Age, and Queens frontman Josh Homme is one of said Eagles. It sounds as if Alain just handed over some rejected demos from those bands and let Brody have at it.

Or maybe I'm just sexist. (2 of 5 stars)