Sohodolls, “Ribbed Music For The Numb Generation” (3.5/5)

To be completely honest, I was moderately unenthusiastic about sitting through the entire album, Ribbed Music for the Numb Generation, by the brit-pop/dance group Sohodolls. Let’s face it: critically listening to dance music is like searching for true love in a whore house. Don’t comprehend? Let me explain, kids. You won’t find a musical masterpiece in a meaningless dance song, and you won’t find love waking up in an unfamiliar bed with what appears to be a “woman.”

With that theory taken into account, I decided my opinion of the album depended solely on an age-old question: Does this make me want to shake my ass? Recent bands, such as Panic! at the Disco and even Good Charlotte (granted I only heard 20 seconds of the song on an MTV commercial, but it was enough to make me consider throwing a chair through the T.V.), have tried their luck and only made me lose faith in all humanity. Sohodolls are the real thing. The album opens up with empowering track “Stripper,” setting the stage for a sexually driven listening experience. Maya Von Doll’s haunting voice glides over powerful drums, behind a commanding distorted guitar riff on “Right and Right Again.” In fact, when I clicked play, I immediately entered into a world of pastel colored sport jackets, big black sunglasses, and perms from hell (in a totally good way).

“Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang” and “Weekender,” as well as “Pleasures of Soho” and “Stripper”…okay I could go on, but let’s cut to the chase: over ¾ of the album is about promiscuous (and lets hope protected) sex. I can only imagine Von Doll’s poor father running with vigor to his car, popping in the album, and deciding the song “Weekender” sounds wholesome enough, only to hear his treasured daughter panting, “I hope you appreciate harder and faster / I’m not the type who can cope with it slow / In the end it will spell your disaster / only you will know / I’m not the type you wash and go.” Sohodolls are strong in their style, but they need to work on varying the subject of their songs in future albums. We all know sex is great, but there are other pleasures of life to explore.

Favorite Track (or best ass-shaker): Stripper (Yes, I dance naked in front of the mirror to this song…and you should too, America!)



Reviewed by: Joe