The Dollyrots - Whiplash Splash (2017)

"Whiplash Splash" is an assertive doubling down on the Power Pop hooks and Punk Rock flair issued by California duo The Dollyrots. Tracking much of the raw performances of this 6th studio effort themselves, the band once again enlists Producer John Fields to add polish to Kelly Ogden's vocals and craft a radio-ready mix. The resulting 13 songs exude authenticity and shift between breakneck tempo changes, extreme loud/soft dynamics and bubblegummy melodic three-chord punk.

Recorded during singer/bassist Ogden's pregnancy with her and guitarist Luis Cabezas' second child, "Whiplash Splash" is The Dollyrots' first studio LP since 2014's "Barefoot and Pregnant" and follows two Top 20 peaks on Billboard's Heatseekers Chart. Standout tracks include guest vocals by Kay Hanley of Letters to Cleo (Just Because I'm Blonde), Jaret Reddick of Bowling For Soup (Other Trucker), and a modernized buzzsaw-guitar cover of Katrina and the Waves' Walking On Sunshine. As a whole, the record fits sonically between any modern pop-punk and guitar goddess rock & roll… with a hint of Ronnie Spector.

The Dollyrots' self-titled 2012 record added a huge dollop of pop cheese to their effervescent punk-pop sound. Though the sugary serving might have been enough to kill many bands who didn't have the duo's charm and hooky tunes, it didn't cause them much harm. Like the 2014 album that followed, Barefoot + Pregnant, 2017's Whiplash Splash follows the same basic template of that album, adding loads of radio-ready tricks and slicks to the spunky sound cranked out by bassist/vocalist Kelly Ogden and guitarist/sometime drummer Luis Cabezas. Working with longtime producer John Fields, the band crafts a sound that has some serious kick when it needs it, like on the rocket-fueled "Babbling Idiot" or "City of Angels". A full album of tracks like these might have helped them establish some punk cred, but that's not really what they are about. Too many tracks have sun-filled centers ("Squeeze Me"), bouncy exteriors ("Just Because I'm Blonde"), or very silly lyrics ("Dance Like a Maniac") for the album to be taken too seriously. There are enough joyless punk screamers and pretentious Green Day-lite bands out there but far too few, like the Dollyrots, who can channel the frothy, punchy brilliance of '90s-era Josie & the Pussycats; they even draft in the voice of Josie, Kay Hanley, to provide some yelping on "Just Because I'm Blonde". And the leadoff track, "I Do", would be perfect if Josie & the Cats ever get back together and need a whomping good single. As Whiplash Splash proves yet again, the Dollyrots are made for fun, built for speed, and safe at any speed.

~ Tim Sendra, all media guide

Tracklist:

01. I Do
02. Babbling Idiot
03. Mermaid
04. Just Because I'm Blonde
05. Squeeze Me
06. This Addiction
07. Dance Like A Maniac
08. Saturday Morning
09. City Of Angels
10. Jump Start This Heart
11. Pack Of Smokes
12. Other Trucker
13. Walking On Sunshine

all songs by The Dollyrots except "13" by Kimberley Rew


Produced by The Dollyrots & John Fields
Engineered by Luis Cabezas & John Field. Mixed by John Field
Recorded at Harmonic Mermaid, Tampa, FL. & Creatio Studio В, Minneapolis, MN.
Mastered by Brad Blackwood at Euphonic Masters.

• Kelly Ogden - vocals, bass, piano, tambourine, cowbell
• Luis Cabezas - guitar, backing vocals, drums

additional musicians:
Chris Barber, Steven Greenberg - drums & percussion
John Fields - guitars, drums, programming & synths
Erika Henry Allen, Whitney Parsons - backing vocals
Kay Henley - guest vocals on "4"
Jaret Reddick - guest vocals on "12"

Release Date: March 24, 2017
Label: Arrested Youth Records
Catalog No.: AY-011 CD