spotlight! girls against boys

Deadline
Getting Serious
(SOS Records, 2005)

By Megan Carneal
mcarneal@mscd.edu

Female vocals can be a double-edged sword for any punk band. On one hand it brings a fresh sound and a separation from the droves of male-fronted bands. On the other hand female vocals can bring a pop-punk air to even the toughest tracks.

Deadline's latest album Getting Serious navigates the treacherous waters of girl-punk, taking a few wrong turns, but for the most part staying on course.

The album opens with "The World Keeps Turning." This song starts off with a melodic riff followed by a Rancid-esque bass-line that leaves the expectation for a raspy, masculine voice to kick in. It is quite jarring at first when the vocals come across in the form of a nasally, almost too pretty for punk rock, feminine voice. Once the initial shock has worn off the song induces the releases of a certain endorphin in the brain that can only come from guilty pleasure.

The vocals do have a poppy quality, especially on tracks like, "In My Eyes," and "Take No Chances," but they make it work by layering tracks with intricate bass-lines and crunchy guitars. Melodic riffs are used to harmonize with the vocals making for catchy tracks that keep the toes tapping for hours after a listen.

Surprisingly the best track on this album is the hidden song, veiled behind four minutes and eight seconds from the beginning of the last track. This song sounds like a low-budget, basement recording with a low rumbling bass and heavily distorted guitar. The insubordinate tone of the vocals and simplistic drumming style give off an old-school vibe, which makes one wonder why Deadline would choose to "hide" this particular song.

This album will definitely appeal more to those in possession of a uterus, but if the other 48 percent of the population can keep an open mind, this album can become more than just a guilty pleasure.