2008 Woodie Awards
"This Might Hurt": Triple Crème Comes to Smith College:
Tours to Promote Self-Produced Album
Jessica Chesnutt
Issue date: 10/6/05 Section: Arts
- Page 1 of 1
"This Might Hurt" is the first album from all-female, all-queer Brooklyn-based quartet Triple Crème. While much of it sounds familiar due to its similarities to the guitar-driven punk-pop of the past two decades, Triple Crème's work does have very interesting moments and many worthwhile numbers.
"Brooklyn" is confident and cocky, even for an opening track from an introductory album. It is reminiscent of, and very likely influenced by, the guitar-worshipping alternative and grunge acts of the early nineties, most notably Soundgarden. While Triple Crème's sound approaches punk, it never really takes on the edge artistically. The opening track is indicative of this, as the monotone lyrics mesh with the synchronized beats on guitar and drum in a catchy, if predictable, way. Though simple, the lyrics are effective at suggesting the outer borough and its late-night effects: "Footsteps sound behind my back / Sirens fade into the wind / Someone else's footsteps / Someone else's party."
"Team Queen" is an interesting combination of largely spoken lyrics and a catchy underlying instrumental melody. Perhaps the best-formed song on the album, "Team Queen" features a part duel, part duet between the drums and guitars, which establishes a certain-yet-subtle rhythmic thread that carries throughout the song. The complex mixture of instrumental chorus and spoken and sung lyrics compliments the overall criticism of materialism: "yr [sic] Gucci's and yr [sic] Pucci and yr [sic] Sergio Valentes I'm trying real hard but I cannot buy enough so thank God yr [sic] team queen stood me up."
Another high point of the album is the only song that could be described as "sweet." "Amateur" opens with sonorous vocals and smoothly harmonic guitars and continues with a steady and satisfying pace. Consistent in terms of pace and tone, "Amateur" is well-rounded and complete as a song.
The only true disappointment with the album is the awkward use of devices such as meter and tempo changes that, instead of providing for a more musically complex whole, actually detract from the straightforward rock melody underneath. This occurs most notably in the aptly-titled "Cluttering." It seems here that the artists are trying to be innovative while the skeleton of the song is well-formed enough to stand on its own.
Claiming Led Zeppelin, the Pixies and Sonic Youth among their influences, Triple Crème's sound is also similar to the rhythmic, industrial pop of the 1980s. Definitely a hard rock band with a splash of punk thrown in, perhaps the greatest surprise is not socially critical lyrics or guitar/drums solos, but the bass playing on the album. The most notable musician on the album is bassist Terry, who provides an intriguing and challenging addition to all of the songs, salvaging some of the simpler tunes. Indeed, the opening of "T.N.T." is proof enough.
Triple Crème will appear with Secret Cock and Katastrophe at Smith College tonight, Thursday, October 6, at 9:30 p.m. in Davis Ballroom. This all-ages show is $5, and doors open at 8:00 p.m.
"Brooklyn" is confident and cocky, even for an opening track from an introductory album. It is reminiscent of, and very likely influenced by, the guitar-worshipping alternative and grunge acts of the early nineties, most notably Soundgarden. While Triple Crème's sound approaches punk, it never really takes on the edge artistically. The opening track is indicative of this, as the monotone lyrics mesh with the synchronized beats on guitar and drum in a catchy, if predictable, way. Though simple, the lyrics are effective at suggesting the outer borough and its late-night effects: "Footsteps sound behind my back / Sirens fade into the wind / Someone else's footsteps / Someone else's party."
"Team Queen" is an interesting combination of largely spoken lyrics and a catchy underlying instrumental melody. Perhaps the best-formed song on the album, "Team Queen" features a part duel, part duet between the drums and guitars, which establishes a certain-yet-subtle rhythmic thread that carries throughout the song. The complex mixture of instrumental chorus and spoken and sung lyrics compliments the overall criticism of materialism: "yr [sic] Gucci's and yr [sic] Pucci and yr [sic] Sergio Valentes I'm trying real hard but I cannot buy enough so thank God yr [sic] team queen stood me up."
Another high point of the album is the only song that could be described as "sweet." "Amateur" opens with sonorous vocals and smoothly harmonic guitars and continues with a steady and satisfying pace. Consistent in terms of pace and tone, "Amateur" is well-rounded and complete as a song.
The only true disappointment with the album is the awkward use of devices such as meter and tempo changes that, instead of providing for a more musically complex whole, actually detract from the straightforward rock melody underneath. This occurs most notably in the aptly-titled "Cluttering." It seems here that the artists are trying to be innovative while the skeleton of the song is well-formed enough to stand on its own.
Claiming Led Zeppelin, the Pixies and Sonic Youth among their influences, Triple Crème's sound is also similar to the rhythmic, industrial pop of the 1980s. Definitely a hard rock band with a splash of punk thrown in, perhaps the greatest surprise is not socially critical lyrics or guitar/drums solos, but the bass playing on the album. The most notable musician on the album is bassist Terry, who provides an intriguing and challenging addition to all of the songs, salvaging some of the simpler tunes. Indeed, the opening of "T.N.T." is proof enough.
Triple Crème will appear with Secret Cock and Katastrophe at Smith College tonight, Thursday, October 6, at 9:30 p.m. in Davis Ballroom. This all-ages show is $5, and doors open at 8:00 p.m.