by Kris Handel
Good Girls Go to Heaven, Bad Girls Go Everywhere is the full length debut from Melbourne punk sextet Blonde Revolver, an album rife with venomous jabs and unabashed innuendo and ribald. The record has a ferocious bite to it and a relentless energy through ten songs that weave through a whole bunch of touch points with passion on all fronts. Every once in a while Blonde Revolver travel down an angry or disillusioned path, but they never lose sight of their targets and find ways to make statements that strike a nerve rather easily. There are moments of dark Lost Sounds-like synth cascades intermingled with a snapping attitude enhanced by buzz-sawing guitars and a no-nonsense rhythm section powering their intriguing garage-punk takes that often hilariously take the piss.
"Raise the Stakes" is driven by an eerie keyboard melody as guitars chug in the background beneath Zoey Mulcahy's spitting vocal delivery, pierced by the occasional group backing interjection. There's a strong Lost Sounds-meets The Damned-meets oi meld here that somehow works majestically, marking the beginning of the record with a statement of power that makes Blonde Revolver's intentions quite clear. "Silhouette Roulette" is a hard driving force full of menacing keyboard, guitar, and sharply intoned backing vocals that cut through everything. There's a grinding dirge like element in play that is quite intriguing, and the seamless transition into a playful melody is on point. There is a lot of intrigue going on under the surface.
"Lipstick and Leather" is full of smoldering and unapologetic sensuality as Mulcahy chants over a weaving keyboard line and stomping drumwork with guitar riffs that bend and squeal raucously. The attitude the band possesses when at full flight is remarkable, simultaneously playful and threatening in a manner that is confusingly quite appealing. "The List" is a fast paced and ferocious romp that tears through a tale of mistreatment and turning a blind eye, punctuated by guttural oohs that hit the mark. The guitars rip and charge through a bobbing bass line and ringing cymbal crashes as the ranting vocals are a highlight, sneering full of vinegar.
Blonde Revolver is a group that is likely to take no prisoners or disrespect and only a fool would try in the first place. This record has a playful edge to it as well, with enjoyable pop and music culture references sprinkled throughout taking a bit of edge off the aggression on display. The album is full of all types of sleaze and distrust but there’s a mix of intense spirit, resolve, and belief in everything they have to express. Blonde Revolver is a group that appears unified in the melding of their influences and attitude into a masterful display of roiling energy and independence, a force that deserves attention.