The Doll Eyes "Too Many Feelings" Review

The Doll Eyes "Too Many Feelings" 75 Records or Less

Mike O’Shea (The Doll Eyes bassist and Vocalist) spent time in a few chaotic, unpredictable versions of The McGunks. I hate to let people’s prior bands be a constant comparison, but that tenure has obviously bonded, by attrition, to the songwriting procedure of Mike. And while, there is a thread of that (especially in songs like “History” and “No Future”), this venture has some other influences that push themselves to the forefront.

While “Hate You” is a tough and heavy mid-tempo not-so-subtle lyrical gem, check “Ashes” for a super fast paced punk outlet, with delving lyrics. “W.R.F.A”, which ends the CD, is a drum driven, sing along punk anthem; fast and fist inducing.
This collection of songs have a good, lo-fi gruff and snotty but catchy stomp; which makes me think of 80’s French Oi! (Snix, Tolbiac’s Toads, West Side Boys) . While the writing also does a good job of capturing sounds of more recent contemporaries like The Bodies, The Muggers, and The Briefs, if they were unpolished. “Tell Me” and the title track has these bands fused in with harder sounds to simmer into a proven chemistry that gets your blood raging. These are apparent in my favorite song, “Symptoms or Side Effects”. This song is fast, catchy, straggly chord over a chunky yelling of lyrics that are relvant and angry to most of us that would put this cd in our ears.

All that said, when I think of the McGunks I think of 5 bands: Social D, Rancid, AC/DC, Motorhead, and The Supersuckers. The Doll Eyes roll these influences into their music as well. Not shying from the gang vocals and dirty rock and roll lead guitars meanderings, this is sure to get punks, skins, greasers, rockers, and anyone with good musical taste to raise a shot and a pint in respectful toast to scream in unison.

Despite my erratic collection of musical comparisons, the cd is not as schizophrenic as I make it seem. The Doll Eyes do a fantastic job of presenting 13 songs as a cohesive offering. The raspy vocals, worn by whiskey and worry, tells tales that anyone with a “Born to Lose” tattoo can feel internally. The lost and wandering souls who clutch onto regrets and resentment as if it was the last beer of the night will appreciate the soul bearing introspection cantankerous poetry.

I love this cd and highly recommend it. Pick it up and support a great local band. Also pick up a shirt or catch them live. Also note the cool design and effort put into this packaging. And all recorded locally. Both these aspects are attributed to Guitarist and Vocalist, Nate Shaw. No pretension here, just nose to the grindstone DIY ethics. This is a great band on many levels.

FFO:
Dicks, (early) Bad Religion, Youth Brigade, Channel 3;
The Templars, (so, also) Snix, The Muggers, Tommy & The Terrors;
Social D, Rancid, Supersuckers, Ducky Boys(less harmonies and melodies), US Bombs;

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