Everything about Dream Bitches – their website, album art, press photos, and sound–feels like an Urban Outfitters catalog; early Urban, before the American Apparel influence. But I enjoy Urban Outfitters. I wouldn’t know its look at a glance if I didn’t. They have me by the balls over there.
Dream Bitches turn out soothingly melodic pop songs. The five-piece band was originally a girl duo whose debut Sanfransisters (2005) is a sweet, catchy blend of high vocals and clean guitars with a tight rhythm section. Their sophomore album, Coke-and-Spiriters (2007) is much in the same vein with tracks like “Mother’s Day” picking up where “Black and Gray” left off.
Yoko Kikuchi writes the lyrics, which are a mouthful to sing but worth looking up on the Dream Bitches’ website, dreambitches.org (.org!). She captures those late-night tug-at-your-heartstrings, young-but-not-so-young-anymore moments you have with yourself when you’re alone in your room and half-dressed. “When you slide past twenty-one/Something starts to come undone.” “I was just a bitch inside your dream. Telling you terrible true things on your answering machine.” “I always liked being hurt/ Being face down in the dirt/ I must miss being a baby/ I’ll tell you a story ’til I lose you to video games.” Oh yes, my LiveJournal agrees.
Dream Bitches have tremendous potential. I only wish they wouldn’t hamper themselves with this Moldy Peaches-esque flat, monotone delivery that seems to be the dominant vocal style these days. It sounds like they might have good stage presence, so decide for yourselves and catch them any day of the week.
Check Out:
“Bad Luck Bill”
“Mother’s Day”
