The Juliet Dagger

Item: Turn Up The Death
Author: Justin Brinker

Turn Up The Death

(2004)

Reviewed by Justin Brinker

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Label Good Charamel RecordsDecapolisOctober 2004

alternative rock pop punk power pop

The Juliet Dagger's bio coins the phrase "death pop" when describing the sound of their debut release, Turn Up The Death on Good Charamel Records. Put simply it is just female driven pop rock in the vein of Juliana Hatfield, Letters To Cleo, or even The Go-Go's.

The opening track, "Waiting", gives you all you need to know in terms of what to expect for the rest of the record. The pace changes a bit from mid tempo to slow on tracks like "Only" but things pick back up with "Crush." This is a very simple record in terms of music and lyrics. There is a pretty cool cover of The Go-Go's "Our Lips Are Sealed" and then a really bad cover of a really bad song by Meredith Brooks', "Everything About You." Vocalist Erin Roberts isn't bad actually and is one of the strong points to Turn Up The Death but unfortunately there is only so much you can do with three chords.

Essentially this is a pop punk album with 90's alternative rock influence. Obviously The Juliet Dagger isn't trying to break new ground with Turn Up The Death. It is a fun record but after a few listens it loses its shine fast. I have no idea what "death pop" is but it does sound dark and this record is way too happy and poppy to be anything dark.

1.5/4