Die Mannequin want you to know that they’re all grown up now. The
Toronto dirt-rock band’s first full-length album Fino + Bleed is a
slick, polished affair, with the now-foursome’s sound filled out by big
shiny keyboards and extra guitars. The biggest change is lead singer
Care Failure’s voice—although she still maintains a slight rasp,
she’s now aspiring for a range that’s more Bif Naked, less Wendy O.
Williams. But the downside of this stadium-ready sound is that
Failure’s songwriting has suffered—on one song, she (bafflingly)
shares writing credits with Raine Maida and Chantal Kreviazuk, while
the album’s first single “Bad Medicine” is completely forgettable.
Failure is undeniably talented, but it’s sad that her band’s first
grasp at greatness has resulted in this watered-down, transparent grab
for more fans, more money and more fame.
Autumn Cannibalist – Die Mannequin
This article appears in Oct 8-14, 2009.