Paperdoll

Album review

Paperdoll, the debut EP by teen metal rockers Kittie, is so rife with screaming and throat-straining singing that you feel compelled to offer lead singer Morgan Lander a cup of tea with honey -- such vocalization has got to hurt. Musically, the Canadian band successfully brands itself as a thrash metal, hard rock outfit and can, in sound but not skill, be likened to Rage Against the Machine, Deftones, among others of the like. To be sure, Kittie should enjoy growing popularity among the set of young listeners in the ensuing years. In the meantime, however, the quality of Paperdoll is a bit lo-fi and sounds like a garage demo. Granted, five of the six tracks featured are live recordings -- the title track is the only studio effort -- but concert discs have been done better by other bands and engineers. Paperdoll, at best, plays like an advanced high-school concert. The singing, with all its throaty howls, also sounds amateurish. It makes you realize that there is an art to all that screaming and not everyone can pull it off without effort and training. Kittie has yet to mature and develop musical chops, but Paperdoll does show promise. The guitar work is somewhat comparable to the playing of the band's more experienced counterparts. More practice and a seasoned producer would do Kittie a world of good. For now, Paperdoll offers an introduction to a young band that, most likely, has better recording days ahead.
© Liana Jonas /TiVo