Doll by Doll by Doll by Doll

A Forgotten Classic from One of the Odd Bands Out from the Early 80's British Rock Scene

Mark Carter
Wow, now how long have I been waiting for this album to come out. Let's see well the album came out in 81, so it's taken 26 years for me to see the release of Doll By Doll's back catalogue. This is the only vinyl album of theirs that I purchased and now I have bought the CD version as well. Don't forget that there's even an extra song the wonderful 'Murder on the Highway. This album is such a richly beautiful almost gothic sounding rock album. There's a deep dark soul at the center of it all, namely Jackie Leven who's powerful soulful smoothly gritty (can I say that) voice encapsulates a dreamy rockscape pushed along with powerfully well produced guitar laden riffs. `Caritas' hits hared with a heart-pounding dose of Viagra to your soul and a kicking vocal chorus line which should bury itself into your brain for a month or two. My favorite track on the album is `Main Traveled Roads' which is simply one of the most beautiful rock ballads I've ever heard.

Imagine a mix of Meatloaf, Cocteau Twins and Johnny Cash and you might get a sense of things. Every word is sung crisp and clear and even if you don't like a song or two you should be enraptured by the rich mellifluous voice of the impeccable Jackie Leven. This album is one of those that has a unique feel to it and those of you with particular favorite albums will understand. It encapsulates a feeling and an emotion that isn't present on many other albums. I cannot recommend enough that you pick up this long overdue classic.

Published by Mark Carter

I'm a Brit living and working in New York. I enjoy music. Perhaps too much according to my wife and the ever increasing amount of space my CD's & records take up. My aim in life is to be happy and as every...  View profile

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