Album Review: Murderdolls - 'Women and Children Last'

When your style, sound and overall persona is defined largely by visual aesthetics, the ability to maintain a sense of longevity is harder than your average run of the mill rock act. However, this should not be viewed as a deterrent. It certainly is not for the Murderdolls.

Looking like they had jumped right out of a costume party gone wrong, the Murderdolls were always an appealing proposition. It was Glam metal without the cheesy gestures and egotistical mannerisms. The imagery was a supplement to the music rather than a sole defining feature. At the risk of coming across as like a movie without a soundtrack, the Murderdolls needed a ‘blood and guts’ identity to go with their confronting, vicious and explicit tone of music.

Let’s face it, even in its infancy the Murderdolls were largely a two man show – with front man Wednesday 13 and drummer turned guitarist Joey Jordison making up the ruling trio. That was not to say the band was a dictatorship but the brains behind the musical operation was always attributed to the aforementioned musicians. This is typified in this instance.

The beauty of ‘Women and Children Last’ is that the band has ditched the b-grade horror movie subplots and focused on a darker, more focused edge. The first album was decent and a bit playful but a second album with a similar output only with different song names would have just come off as lazy and repetitive. Particularly eight years down the track. Thankfully, what this album has is dare and an ‘in your face’ attitude that will continue to make the Murderdolls a parents worst nightmare.

‘Chapel of Blood’ begins with a pounding bass line before launching into its core. The tongue in check lyrics also back. What becomes obvious is that ‘Women and Children’ is more menacing than its predecessor. ‘Beyond the Valley…’ relied on its shock value, this time the music appears much more important and defined. Lead single, ‘My Dark Place Alone’ takes a while to grow on you but nevertheless has a solid chorus supported by a steady rock/punk rhythm section. While ‘Rock N Roll is All I Got’ is probably the closet modern replication we have to Alice Cooper and the Misfits. In contrast, ‘Hello, Goodbye, Die’ contains a lot of the similar structures and musical qualities found on album number one.

‘Women and Children Last’ is fun. It is that simple. Whether you crank it loud, give it the once over on your iPod or play it to piss off the neighbours there is something endearing here. Those looking for an epic affair need not listen; everyone else should at least find something enjoyable.

After eight years, the Murderdolls have risen from the grave (so to speak) and delivered an album that while lacking substance is more than made up for by its entertaining, sincere and provoking nature. There’s not much in the way of progression but when you’re a band like the Murderdolls there are more pressing priorities. Well worth a look in.

1. The World According To Revenge

2. Chapel of Blood

3. Bored 'Til Death

4. Drug Me to Hell

5. Nowhere

6. Summertime Suicide

7. Death Valley Superstars

8. My Dark Place Alone

9. Blood Stained Valentine

10. Pieces of You

11. Homicide Drive

12. Rock N Roll Is All I Got

13. Nothing's Gonna Be Alright

14. Whatever You Got, I'm Against It

15. Hello, Goodbye, Die