The Dollyrots have been around for what seems like forever and you wouldn’t have even known it. Forming in 2000, the band have released six albums, toured the world with the likes of Paramore and Bowling For Soup, and yet, have caused nothing more than a drop in the giant pop-punk ocean. Their latest EP ‘Mama’s Gonna Knock You Out’ attempts to change all of that whilst having fun at the same time.
Featuring Kelly Ogden on bass and Luis Cabezas on guitar, the couple share vocal duties, but that is where all of the flaws can be found. Ogden’s vocals, for the most part, are technically sound, however, her high pitched tendencies are very hard to warm to. Sounding like a prepubescent Joan Jett, the singer’s voice is made for children’s TV shows rather than the alternative music scene. If anything the best thing about the EP only being three tracks long is that you only have to endure her borderline annoying voice for less than ten minutes.
A few more tracks with added substance would have been wise, but the three songs do display diversity, solid musicianship for a three piece and they happily remind the new wave of pop-punk bands that there is still nothing wrong with being silly. With track titles like ‘Sweaty Hug My Love’, it’s clear that they aren’t out to be serious. Having a laugh was a stance that pop-punk was always about and has somehow been forgotten over time. Everything about this EP is a relatively refreshing throwback to the Blink era of the genre.
Despite all of ‘Mama’s Gonna Knock You Out’s’ weaknesses, there’s still catchy pop-punk at its core. If you’re a fan of big choruses, ‘Save Me’ will stick in your head. Their new EP won’t cause any bigger splashes than what they’ve already made in the last sixteen years, and it’s certainly made for those with an aquired taste of minnie mouse-like vocals and slapstick comedy, but it will no doubt put a smile on their fans faces and those looking for a quirky, non offensive pop-punk to squeak along to.
LOUIS KERRY