Devil Doll
“Queen of Pain”
(Lucky Bluebird Records, www.devil-doll.com)
Colleen Duffy is Devil Doll, who originally grew up in Old Brooklyn on Cleveland’s West Side. She’s not a delicate flower at the whim of the wind, but more of a femme fatale knifing her way to your heart. She drips with a sexual vivacity tempered by both vulnerability and predatory instinct, making her music more alluring and real-world complete than that of the distressing damsels of pop music. She’ll soften up then make a fist – “I want to kiss you and punch you in the face.” The music parallels her mingled psychology, borrowing liberally from lounge, jazz, pop, Latin, and whatever else. For the most part you can imagine her singing in a smoky piano bar with her sultry Siren voice fueling futile fantasies. Many tracks use organ, piano, brass, and programmed loops. “You Are the Best Thing and the Worst Thing” has a bit of a tango feel and features some accordion, as does “You Put a Spell on Me,” which is a gorgeous song flowing over lush saxophone curves. “Faith In Love” is another smooth track with a sparse sensual arrangement that culminates in a velvet-voiced scat. Elsewhere, “Liquor Store” has more of a Vegas swing feel, while “Union Square” retains a jazzy elegance. “Left” is a striking song because it is just her singing and accompanying herself with electric bass. Perhaps the best track, though, is the final slow and jazzy cut, “If I Died In Your Arms,” which flows with a moving elegance. That said, a few tracks fall flat for me, and I think a bit less pop influence would really bring it up a notch, but on the whole, this is still creative and impressive. – BL
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