Pindoll
Twisted Times
Pindoll
****
Beirut’s Pindoll have built a steady buzz around the region for nabbing high-profile supports from the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Skunk Anansie.
Now, four years since their formation, they arrive with their debut album. The group’s sound seems off-kilter at first with jazzy drumming patterns and interesting guitars lines and textures. Gradually, however, it all builds into a rather arresting collection of dynamic rock songs.
Their weapon is the singer Erin Mikaelian, a cross between the quirky quavering of Tori Amos and the attitude of Gwen Stefani; her athletic vocals dominate throughout. In the relationship kiss-off that is Absence, Mikaelian croons innocently over a shimmering acoustic backdrop before the guitars kick in and she gets all snarly.
Keep Talking recalls No Doubt with its groovy guitars and a radio-friendly chorus while Fed Up has Mikaelian sounding increasingly agitated as she describes another failed relationship. The musicianship here is also top-notch: the band keep listeners on their toes through distinct melodies such as in the eastern-inspired riffs of Where Dreams Are to the cabaret-like rhythms of the title track. It all makes for an intoxicating debut.
