August 5, 2009

Album review: Belladonna - 'Hey Weirdo!'

Old school grunge rock with added grrrl

6 / 10 Attempting to do more than simply fill the Hole-shaped, er, hole in scuzz-rock of the female variety, Belladonna’s debut is more rewarding than, say, Brody Dalle’s latest effort. Though sowing the same seed as Courtney, Juliette, PJ et al, there’s a raw charm to ‘Hey Weirdo!’, particularly on ‘Cross The Line’, which sees them recycle the Ron Asheton School Of Riffs rulebook to funky effect. ‘My Law’, meanwhile, features a Chas’n’Dave-style chorus. They’re more smart than smut though – and, for once, that’s a good thing.

Matt Wilkinson

Click here to get your copy of Belladonna's 'Hey Weirdo!' from the Rough Trade shop.

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