2024 saw the beginning of a new era for this Western Australian band of brothers. 2024 was also the year where in this new era three became four. “Scars” is the bands third full studio album of which we have been spoiled with five singles from the album to date. Each single has had a slightly different flavour to it and has shown a ton of depth in what these guys do. The first thing I did when I received the advance of the album from the band was to have a listen to what I wasn’t familiar with just to see what aces these guys had been holding up their sleeves. That very first listen to the six songs that I hadn’t heard if you exclude the intro track purgatory left me smiling, that deep seeded hell yes kinda smile. There is yet again enough flavour and spice in these tracks to make your mouth water, your foot tap and your head move.
The evolution of Sisters Doll is a glorious tale. From becoming household names through their time on national televisions ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ to seeing the band evolve as writers, musicians, personalities and as a band. The maturity shown on this record is world class. The songs have huge personality, the production massive and the vibe is just electric.
Album number three “Scars” is truly a coming of age for this band of brothers. With five number one singles already released from the album it’s fair to say that this record has the potential to be an accidental or intentional greatest hits collection. Will we see all eleven tracks as singles? Quite possibly. But, now let’s dive into the album track by track.
‘Purgatory’ the opening instrumental is a tasty little slice of atmospheric playing a slick combination of Tarantino soundtrack and vintage Kiss. It certainly opens the mind to what is coming next.
‘Climbing Out Of Hell’ is the first song and what a way to come out of the gates. This is HUGE, the opening riff is a monster. The verse is anthemic and melodic but it’s the chorus that just grabs you. When I speak of the evolution of the band this is exactly what I’m talking about. This is a heavy melodic rock masterpiece. The middle section that leads into the solo is huge and gives a nod to a time where melodic, gutsy, balls out hard rock ruled. With this track it’s back!!!
‘Prisoner’ flows seamlessly from ‘Climbing Out of Hell’. ‘Prisoner’ was the first taste of what this album would be over a year ago. It shows such growth in the band’s songwriting. Prisoner is the one that broke to Australian radio with its anthemic chorus and instant sing along feel. I know for a fact that the melody stuck in my head instantly and was humming it for days upon its release. It still has that same effect today.
‘Change’ the third single to come from the album’s session, it is a poppy feel good tune with a killer message. This is pure ear candy with such a great melodic rock sensibility. It’s no wonder radio ate this up and it is still in request rotation today. For fans of Sister’s Doll I’m telling you something you already know, but if you don’t have a listen and you will instantly get what I’m talking about.
‘First Time’ is a great little song that shows a more laid-back side of the band. Beautifully recorded, the instrumentation in it reminds me musically of a song like Rod Stewart’s ‘Maggie May’ but with a super modern powerful twist. It has every sensibility of an epic melodic mid-tempo ballad that will be sure to have venues lit up when played live.
‘Don’t Give Up On Us’, the video for this single gave us the first taste of what today’s Sisters Doll was to look like. It debuted bass player Sage Mileto and introduced him to the band, completing the circle of brotherhood. It’s a boldly orchestrated track and the production is just perfect, lush and vast; powerful and spacious. This is a great track.
‘Baby Doll’ oh my god that opening riff is big. This is possibly my favourite of the new tracks, it bites, it grabs you. It’s such a hungry song; it leaves you wanting more. This in my opinion is where the band shines.
‘United’ is the most recent single from the album and it has stadium anthem stamped all over it. It’s big, powerful and catchy as hell. From the moment this single dropped I knew there was going to be something special in what we were yet to hear from the band. It’s as of time of release was the heaviest thing the band has done. It still holds all the trademark characteristics that have continued to grow the bands fanbase.
‘Take You Away’ yet another spice added to the Sister’s Doll kitchen. This has a real Motley Crue ’94 feel to it, but it’s delivered with a higher sheen than the Crue. The slickness and shine of this song is mostly attributed Brennan’s vocal here. The riff is huge, the groove is massive and if your head doesn’t nod during this one you need to seek some serious assistance. It must be between this and ‘Baby Doll’ as my go to track on the album.
‘Kiss Me’ the second single from the album is just one of those pieces of ear candy that just refuses to leave your subconscious. Catchy as hell, for me this is the gateway track that merges the familiar Sisters Doll with the beefed-up sound of the band today.
‘You Can’t Bring Me Down’ is the fastest track on the record and shows just how dangerous this band can be when they put their foot down. All the melodic hallmarks are there, a big hook, a huge riff and some free-flowing soloing laid on top of it all just has me smiling. The clap and stomp along value of this song is great.
‘Scars’ is I think a misplaced song as the last track. In some ways it puts the album to rest and in some ways the guitar work and orchestration are a reprise of ‘Purgatory’. It’s a beautifully haunting track that has had me revisit it repeatedly. When I say it feels misplaced it’s the build-up in the last third of the song that would have tied into the albums dynamic and could be placed pretty much anywhere because it’s loans itself to versatility, it’s a sum of everything the record is in many ways. Oh, and that orchestration is so damn lush.
While I haven’t really gone in too deep with my thoughts on the songs from a performance perspective, rest assured I am getting there. The way the band sounds on this record is amazing. The guitars are flawless, the solos melodic yet technical and Austin’s tone is just incredible throughout this record. From a players aspect man, I’m blown away by how proficient, technical and mature his playing and style is. When taken to task on delivering something a little heavier and darker it’s there in spades and his feel and ability translate so well to these recordings. There is the perfect amount of grit and polish which allows this album to gleam. Bryce’s drums are massive and show enough flash on top of the drive that these tracks have while being solid and essential to the songs structure, from a rhythmic standpoint it understands the encomium in its execution. The bass sits so well and gives just the right amount of depth to each song. I know Austin played bass on the album and I’m so curious to know what Sage may have brought to these songs, live Sage certainly adds a fresh personality to these songs.
What I do really love about this record is the way the lyrics have been written; it shows a huge focus on detailing the stories within the songs. Brennan sings his ass off on this record and has delivered a couple of performances I hadn’t expected from him. There is a growth in his range, approach and delivery. I guess a lot of it comes from the evolution of a band. What I mean by that is when you see these guys live there are fresh new approaches and enhancements to the back catalogue songs, they have evolved them into the band’s sound of today and if I am completely honest I enjoy tracks like ‘Johnny’, ‘Good Day To Be Alive’ and ‘Strutt’ much more now, they have come of age so damn well.
For what “Scars” has delivered this is certainly a solid outing and brilliant representation of who Sister’s Doll are today, where they have been and what I think is ahead. In many ways they have opened a pandora’s box of possibilities. There is a deeper side to the band that has been uncovered on “Scars”, there are these little detours into heaviness. Live, the singles have given us a taste of some of that rawness and the grit that I mention, to hear that translated into the studio is amazing. If I am being one hundred percent honest, the only thing “Scars” lacks is some of that raw energy that the band adds to the performance of these live songs. This comment might cop me some heat from the Doll Army, but live is where this band excels, that little added danger is a good thing. Having said that, the production is amazing as everything is exactly where it should be in the mix and performance. There is an attention to detail in these recordings that shows just how these songs have been pulled apart and put back together to create a near perfect beast. It is an amazing record in every way, it’s slick, the performances are impeccable, it shows depth and a range of styles that are all superbly polished and world class. “Scars” is essential listening for old and new fans of the band. If you are new to Sister’s Doll hang on tight because you are about to get a brain full of melodies and choruses, you just can’t shake.
9/10
