Darren McLeod
01/03/06, 12:11 PM
Daggermouth - Stallone
Release Date: October 15, 2005
Record Label: Feeding Frenzy Records
Skimming over information regarding Daggermouth's debut LP, Stallone, could very well turn people away before the first listen. Looking for a description of their sound, you're most likely to find "pop-punk;" when you pair that with the majority of the lyrical content (girls) and their long and often ridiculous song titles (see: "I Dance to Trance in Garbage Bag Pants," "Hit 'Em High, Hit 'Em Low, Don Flamingo"), the word "generic" is bound to plant itself firmly into your brain. Ignore that idea; this is not another Fall Out Boy clone. Daggermouth plays a melodic-hardcore influenced pop-punk that is more akin to earlier Saves The Day and Lifetime than the current crop of bands carrying the title.
The album's opener introduces us to the lighter side of Daggermouth, commencing with girls clapping and chanting "Ain't no party like a Daggermouth party, 'cause a Daggermouth party don't stop!" Once the instruments kick in, singer Nick Pickle belts out "What's up all you two-timing bitches? Daggermouth here to set the record straight! Representing Rain City, Canada, where the sun don't shine. Gonna take your car, your sister, and your mom, so watch your back!" It's a refreshing and original prologue which presents a band that doesn't take itself too seriously. After all, this is a band that named itself after a mechanical fish in an episode of Family Guy.
"Vegas Chaffe, Brotha I Got It Too" is one of the catchiest tunes on the album, and features some fantastic guitar work. As one of the few tracks over three minutes long, it utilizes the increased length by adding more experimentation and variation in pace. The other tracks on the album, being much briefer, are concise and to the point. This is a double-edged sword for Stallone, yet almost a necessary evil -- quickly delivered songs are a part of their hardcore-rooted sound, and it is what makes them so appealing, but the lack of diversity in tempo hurts the band by losing the distinction between certain songs. It is a minor complaint as it happens rarely, yet it is apparent enough to make a note of it.
That's not to say that there aren't any unique moments to be found on Stallone that stand out from the rest. "Wrestlemania 5: Hulk Hogan vs. Macho Man...Winner Gets Miss Elizabeth's Love" has not only a great title, but also brings in guest vocalist Matt Smith (of the now-defunct Vancouver hardcore band Reserve 34) for the shouts in its climactic finish, a tremendous addition that enhances an already stellar song. The second from last track, "This Is Where The Chocolate Cake Would Be If We Had Any WHAMMY," is merely 13 seconds long, its lyrics consisting solely of "I don't want to ever see your fucking face again!" The lyrics of Stallone, while often humourous or heartfelt, occasionally tread into tired territory, even to the extent of walking the line of laughable: "come back to me / when you turn 23, / maybe then you'll see / what it feels like to be in love with me." Thankfully, these trite words are the exception to the rule, and the lyrics are consistently better through the rest of the album.
The biggest problem you'll have with Daggermouth won't be the long song titles, or the short length (15 tracks in 33:53) -- it'll be getting your hands on a copy of the album. The poor distribution of their record label, Feeding Frenzy Records, combined with the lack of publicity the band has received means that your best bet for finding this gem will be online. Do yourself a favour and go through the hassle of ordering it online, as Daggermouth is one of the best bands you've never heard of.
--
Band MP3s: http://www.purevolume.com/daggermouth
Band Website: http://www.daggermouth.com
Release Date: October 15, 2005
Record Label: Feeding Frenzy Records
Skimming over information regarding Daggermouth's debut LP, Stallone, could very well turn people away before the first listen. Looking for a description of their sound, you're most likely to find "pop-punk;" when you pair that with the majority of the lyrical content (girls) and their long and often ridiculous song titles (see: "I Dance to Trance in Garbage Bag Pants," "Hit 'Em High, Hit 'Em Low, Don Flamingo"), the word "generic" is bound to plant itself firmly into your brain. Ignore that idea; this is not another Fall Out Boy clone. Daggermouth plays a melodic-hardcore influenced pop-punk that is more akin to earlier Saves The Day and Lifetime than the current crop of bands carrying the title.
The album's opener introduces us to the lighter side of Daggermouth, commencing with girls clapping and chanting "Ain't no party like a Daggermouth party, 'cause a Daggermouth party don't stop!" Once the instruments kick in, singer Nick Pickle belts out "What's up all you two-timing bitches? Daggermouth here to set the record straight! Representing Rain City, Canada, where the sun don't shine. Gonna take your car, your sister, and your mom, so watch your back!" It's a refreshing and original prologue which presents a band that doesn't take itself too seriously. After all, this is a band that named itself after a mechanical fish in an episode of Family Guy.
"Vegas Chaffe, Brotha I Got It Too" is one of the catchiest tunes on the album, and features some fantastic guitar work. As one of the few tracks over three minutes long, it utilizes the increased length by adding more experimentation and variation in pace. The other tracks on the album, being much briefer, are concise and to the point. This is a double-edged sword for Stallone, yet almost a necessary evil -- quickly delivered songs are a part of their hardcore-rooted sound, and it is what makes them so appealing, but the lack of diversity in tempo hurts the band by losing the distinction between certain songs. It is a minor complaint as it happens rarely, yet it is apparent enough to make a note of it.
That's not to say that there aren't any unique moments to be found on Stallone that stand out from the rest. "Wrestlemania 5: Hulk Hogan vs. Macho Man...Winner Gets Miss Elizabeth's Love" has not only a great title, but also brings in guest vocalist Matt Smith (of the now-defunct Vancouver hardcore band Reserve 34) for the shouts in its climactic finish, a tremendous addition that enhances an already stellar song. The second from last track, "This Is Where The Chocolate Cake Would Be If We Had Any WHAMMY," is merely 13 seconds long, its lyrics consisting solely of "I don't want to ever see your fucking face again!" The lyrics of Stallone, while often humourous or heartfelt, occasionally tread into tired territory, even to the extent of walking the line of laughable: "come back to me / when you turn 23, / maybe then you'll see / what it feels like to be in love with me." Thankfully, these trite words are the exception to the rule, and the lyrics are consistently better through the rest of the album.
The biggest problem you'll have with Daggermouth won't be the long song titles, or the short length (15 tracks in 33:53) -- it'll be getting your hands on a copy of the album. The poor distribution of their record label, Feeding Frenzy Records, combined with the lack of publicity the band has received means that your best bet for finding this gem will be online. Do yourself a favour and go through the hassle of ordering it online, as Daggermouth is one of the best bands you've never heard of.
--
Band MP3s: http://www.purevolume.com/daggermouth
Band Website: http://www.daggermouth.com