Punknews.org LogoPunknews.org

Sign In | create an account

 
Staff IconDeadly Sins - Selling Our Weakness (Cover Artwork)

Deadly Sins

Selling Our Weakness (2008)
Durty Mick

Reviewer Rating:
User Rating:


Contributed by: GlassPipeMurder
(
others by this writer | submit your own
)


Published on September 16th 2008


Remember the first time you slipped the Dropkick Murphys' fourth studio full-length, Blackout, into your CD player? You were probably overall generally underwhelmed by its lack of bite, but chances are the standout track “The Dirty Glass” caught your ear. Of course, a diehard fan would recognize the track from the Murphys’ split with Face to Face, but the newer version of the duet featured a different female vocalist, and the melodramatic but fun bickering soon became a new fan favorite, even being performed live on Jimmy Kimmel's show with the song’s featured vocalist, Stephanie Dougherty.

And now, she has her own punk band.

With adjoining fellow members from the likes of Reach the Sky and esoteric Lookout! favorites Even in Blackouts, Boston’s Deadly Sins carry the weight of expectations beyond their existence.

This first noticeable trait of Deadly Sins' Selling Our Weakness is that unlike “The Dirty Glass,” a relatively light-hearted and folksy Celtic-influenced jaunt, overall Selling Our Weakness comes much closer to a female-fronted Hot Water Music than the Dropkick Murphys. In fact, the only time Deadly Sins even come close to a Celtic feel -- the violin-led “Ashes” -- guitarist Billy Brown takes the lead on vocals. Also apparent is that Deadly Sins feature the inclusion of extremely competent lyrics from four of the five members. Although among the least catchy, “Freshly Minted Royalty” features a very strong vocal performance from Dougherty and some of the album’s best lyrics: “The neon glows so bright / Even on the darkest of days / But every blinking sign reads: 'You’ll never leave this place.'" On the opposite end of the spectrum is “Yard Sale,” with quick-spit vocals from Dougherty and an infectious guitar lead making it one of the most straightforward but effective songs. “Shipwreck” sways along at a pace just slightly more slack, but helps diversify the otherwise fairly homogenous sound, and is arguably the album’s strongest track. After alternating vocals throughout most of the album, Dougherty and Brown finally come together for the grandiose album closer “Non-Believers,” the most probable pick for a radio single if such a decision were to be made.

Although the familiar voice of Stephanie Dougherty is what will likely draw the initial attraction to Deadly Sins, the veteran songwriting and musicianship of her bandmates solidifies the relevance of this Boston five-piece as one of the year’s great break-out acts.



People who liked this also liked:
Street Dogs - State of GraceEverybody Out! - Everybody Out!Burning Streets - Is It in Black and WhiteMajor Accident - The Clockwork Demos [12 inch]Adams Dagger - Adams DaggerStitch Hopeless & the Sea Legs - Gone BatsThe Unseen - Internal SalvationFar from Finished - Living in the FalloutAgainst Me! - Searching For A Former ClarityFlatfoot 56 - Jungle of the Midwest Sea

Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.
    SilentStorms (September 19, 2008)

    "Remember the first time you slipped the Dropkick Murphys' fourth studio full-length, Blackout, into your CD player?"

    Nope, cuz I always hated this kind of oi punk/mohawk/street garbage. And I still do. You lost me in the first sentence, but that's not your fault, it's just the fact that I don't like that kind of music. Poce. Score is for Dropkick Murphy's.

    ashtraymonument (September 18, 2008)

    so them open for dropkick

    not impressed.

    Features

    Exclusive Streams

    Newest Reviews

    Punknews.org Team

    Managing Editor

    Adam White

    News Editors

    Kira Wisniewski
    Brittany Strummer
    Andrew Waterfield
    Katy Hardy
    Matthew Baldwin
    Armando Olivas
    John Flynn

    Video Editor

    Chris Moran

    Social Media Editor

    Justin August

    Copy Editor

    Amelia Cline

    Reviews Editor

    Joe Pelone

    Interviews Editor

    Richard Verducci

    Publisher

    Aubin Paul

    ISSN 1710-5366



    © Copyright 1999-2012 Punknews.org



    Other Places to Go

    Punknews.org Flickr Pool