The HorrorPops have the press buzzing hard!
The sophomore album from these psychobilly Danish darlings blows away their debut. Less cliched B-movie stuff and with more inventive takes on psychobilly (including emphasis on 80s new wave), the Horrorpops finally sound like their own band and less like a female version of the Nekromantix. While no song matches the raucous intensity of the opening track ("Freaks In Uniforms"), the album is fun and gets better with each listen. Check out "Caught In A Blond" and "Crawl Straight Home."
- READ MAGAZINE
The visual spectacle of the HorrorPops live experience -- imagine a tattooed Betty Boop slapping away on an upright bass flanked by two very naughty go-go dancers, and backed by a pair blazing guitars and a swingin' drummer -- doesn't exactly have the chance to shine on the band's second cd, but the amazing songs more than make up for it. Guitarist Kim Nekroman (of Nekromantix) leads the charge through 13 new-wave/psychobilly/punk freak-outs, with his wife/bassist belting out alternately hilarious and heart-breaking lyrics in a voice loaded with the power and sex appeal of Gwen Stefani and the dark edge of Siouxsie Sious. There's not a song here that you won't find yourself humming for days. "Freaks In Uniform," with its H-O-R-R-O-R-P-O-P-S cheerleader chant and na-na-na chorus, kicks thing into high gear and there's not stopping the momentum after that. It doesn't compare to the visual assault of the band's live show, but listening to Bring It On! is about as much fun as you're going to have without the involvement of go-go dancers.
-CHORD MAGAZINE
Evidently, the Horrorpops don't know that their sophomore release is supposed to disappoint instead of surpass when compared to the first record. Little improvements like Patricia's now extensively impressive slapping, the overall tightness of the songs and Brett Guerwittz's masterful production all push Bring it On to places that Hell Yeah! only hinted at. The 50s doo-wop style of "Walk Like a Zombie" and the ruff country murder balledry of " S.O.B." really show the diversity of this band. Records that take risks and are this good are rare today, and deserve to be heard.
-SLUG MAGAZINE
I was so excited to hear that the Horrorpops sent us a CD to review. I jumped at the chance to review the album. I liked their first album a lot, but I LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE this album. Like I said on my myspace page, I cannot find a track on this album that I don't like. This album is like crack. I find myself needing another hit after hit after hit. I can't stop listening to it. "Bring it On!" features Patricia on vocals and standup bass, Kim Nekroman and Geoff Kresge on guitar and Niedermeir on drums. You can't forget the lovely go-go dancers Kamilla and No-No. From start to finish, the album is on CD full of fun. You'll find yourself dancing along to each track. As of right now, "Trapped" is my favorite track. Horrorpop fans have plenty to look forward too on September 13, 2005 when the album is set to hit the streets and they sure won't be disappointed.
-COOLGRRLS.COM
The best bands in any genre are usually the ones who aren't afraid to mess with formulas, have a little fun with things and generally shake things up. The HorrorPops are that sort of band. While the act builds from a psychobilly foundation, Bring It On! is a huge step away from the hordes of similar acts with little to no imagination.
Breaking out of line from the zombies of Cramps wannabes and psychobilly clones, Bring It On! liberally borrows from straight-up punk rock to give The HorrorPops a bit of life. Of course, singer/bassist Patricia Day's vocals -- she's one part Siouxise Sue and one part Gwen Stefani -- make getting into the 'Pops' bopping punkabilly a lot easier. Day and drummer 009dermeier lay down straight-from-the-'50s rockabilly rhythms with slapped bass and four-on-the-floor 4:4 drum work leading the act through swinging hillbilly rhythms. Instead of dipping into the worn-out world of creepy psychobilly rhythms, however, guitarists Kim Nekroman and Geoff Kresege rifle through punk's bag of tricks to add a melodic, powerful punch to the band's rhythm section. Instead of reinventing the Zombie Elvis vibe, Bring It On! acknowledges its place in the punk underground with a hearty dose of modern zip.
Similarly, Day doesn't dwell on themes of the supernatural or creatures of the night, giving her songs a lot more substance than typical psychobilly. Don't think it's an accident, either: Album opener "Freaks in Uniform" condemns the conformity of the punk and psychobilly underground. Other albums touch on everything from tales of love gone wrong ("Hit'N'Run" and "Caught in a Blonde") to simple drunken revelry ("Crawl Straight Home") or pledges of devotion ("Undefeated").
The HorrorPops might crawl around in the psychobilly underground, but they have bigger things on their mind than simple issues of credibility. They're here to rock, one way or another, and have more to say than stupid tales of B-movie horrors. It's enough to rescue psychobilly from the rut the genre settled into so long ago. Bring it on, indeed.
-- AVERSION.COM