Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Ready to make a splash with the world wide release of their second album, Dressed Up As Life, Sick Puppies of Sydney, Australia have kept their vicious sound alive since their release of, “Headphone Injuries EP,” last summer.  Fans of Shimon, Emma, and Chris should get ready for a holiday from track to track in their new album Dressed Up As Life; it’s strung together with eclectic melodies that go from a harmonious indie pop foundation to a solid hard rock climax.

“My World” is the ideal introduction to Dressed Up As Life, it’s raw and enticing, and it sets the mood for the entire album.  Shimon’s vocals and thickly distorted guitar are rough, but refined, as Emma lays out a kick ass bass line and Mark kills it on the drums.  I find it so easy to relate to these songs, they are filled with passion and pain.  I think what Sick Puppies capture in their new album is the struggle to make it in the music business and the things you have to sacrifice in order to do so, but more over the release you experience from doing so.    

I love the fact that Sick Puppies are as unique to the rock genre as their songs possess a true distinction, in particular, Shimon’s screamo vocal element, which normally I despise, totally works for me in this album.  A little soft and a little hard, every song is a journey into the personal torments of the group collectively.  With themes like; self-confidence, drugs, angst, daddy issues, not to mention relationship dilemmas, Dressed Up As Life has all of the bases covered.   

This dynamic new band has the right look, sound and lyrics to usher in a new age of rock, as they are apt to appeal to a wide fan base.  The compositions have a quality of freshness that I have not experienced in a long while, with respect to the rock genre.  “Too Many Words” has to be one of my favorite tracks on this album; it’s got a little bit of everything, a welcoming guitar intro, intense vocal body and concludes with a sustained fade.  Every track on Dressed Up As Life has a natural progression from a tender intro to a hard rock finish that resonates with their listeners long after the track has ended. 

In summation, buy the new Sick Puppies album, Dressed Up As Life, it’s an exceptional collection of tracks you will be happy you did.  I only wish I had more constructive criticism to give, however, this album is a flawless example of the evolution of rock.  Buy it!