Review by Rachel Jablonski
A dagger, death, reference to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. With suggestions like these an audience may be inclined to prepare for a grim encounter. However, upon listening to the album, many may be surprised to note quite the opposite effect. Turn up the Death, the debut album from Buffalo, New York’s The Juliet Dagger, is light and catchy with simple riffs, innocent female vocals, and stable beats. The poppy punk sound consists of steady music with sing song vocals and occasional dark, speedier twists; like bubblegum flavored ice cream with a dash of fudge on top.
Released on Good Charamel Records, a label formed Robby Takac (Goo Goo Dolls); The Juliet Dagger could very well make it to the big screen. The album, composed of short catchy songs, seems to be a goldmine for the next teenybopper movie. The simplistic, easy to grasp nature of the album with lyrics such as Daddy needs to lighten up and I’ve been waiting for you to call me just screams young adult movie accompaniment. Two prime choices for the part could very well be the cover of The Go-Gos’ “Our Lips Are Sealed” or the first single, a cover of a Meredith Brooks song entitled “Everything But You.”
Though the feel of the album is best described as above, not every song is pure sugar. “Stab” is actually a little less poppy and a little more punk. It’s darker, faster temperament breaking up the monotony.
The Juliet Dagger has caught a big break having been picked up by Robby Takac’s label. Though the band’s style is out of my league, it could have much appeal to the pre-teen and young adult crowd. If nothing else I hope the band can be featured in a teenybopper type movie soon.