All At Once album cover. (Don Giovanni Records)
Screaming Females put an end to their screaming with their seventh studio album, All at Once.
The New Jersey-based band comprises of Marissa Paternoster on vocals, Jarrett Dougherty on drums and King Mike on bass. Paternoster and Doughtery formed the indie-punk-rock band under a different name while they were in high school. Since their school days, Screaming Females have released seven albums.
Screaming Females made their debut in 2006 with Baby Teeth. This project launched an upward trend of rock music with a not-so-subtle screaming punk vibe. Since then, the trio’s sound has been watered down from punk-rock to more indie-rock with a splash of punk influence.
For listeners without a favorite indie-punk-rock band, All at Once serves as a good place to experiment with the genre. The 15-track album is comprised of a series of frankly average songs. The shock-value of punk is apparent in one or two tracks but overall the album itself is a bit too tame.
“Glass House” serves as the perfect introduction to a punk-rock album. With dramatic guitar riffs and mesmerizing vocals, Paternoster sets the album up for success. The lyrics exemplify what punk music is about. Paternoster sings about how she is trapped in this glass house under the control of someone else. Her vocals range from crass and rough to controlled and refined. With powerful vocals and engaging beats, “Glass House” serves as the perfect precedent for the remaining 14 songs. However, the rest of the album does not live up to the expectation it sets.
Each song on the album tends to sound like a variation of the last. The trio’s impressive vocals, percussion, and guitar solos speak to their talent, but they fall short when it comes to captivating any listener, especially those unfamiliar with their previous work.
The band’s transition from punk-rock to indie-rock is apparent in tracks, “Bird in Space” and “Soft Domination.” “Bird in Space” sounds more classic-rock than punk-rock. The slow tempo and monotonous lyrics make the almost five-minute song feel never-ending.
All at Once serves as a good introduction to those interested in listening to punk but don’t want to abandon their pop top 40 playlist.
Contact CU Independent Arts Writer Charlotte Spaeth at charlotte.spaeth@colorado.edu.
