The Tenth - Dunes
L.A.’s bubblegum punk band The Tenth released their debut album, Dunes, not long ago.
The Tenth
The Tenth comprises Taylor Blackwell (guitar, vocals), Harley Quinn Smith (bass, vocal), Eden Hain (guitar), and Kelly Cruz (drums). Blackwell and Smith are multi-talented artists, both having appeared in films, etc. Blackwell played Lauren Evans on Starz’s Magic City, while Smith had roles in Yoga Hosers, Jersey Girl, Clerks II, Tusk, and All These Small Moments.
Dunes encompasses a baker’s dozen tracks, starting with “I Will Not Make Any Boring Art,” riding potent guitars that slam ahead on muscular energy. Riot grrrl vocals infuse the lyrics with penetrating inflections and an impudent attitude.
“I Saw a Ghost” blends sepulchral dark colors and low-slung tones into a viciously ominous tune with scathing lyrics.
“Nobody warned you not to be on my bad side / Now, I kicked you out of my life and said my final goodbye / But when you come to my mind, I just wanna fucking die.”
Even though billed as bubblegum punk, there’s an edge to The Tenth’s music that takes it one step past cheap, cheesy Power Puff music, giving it raw brawniness and gnashing dynamics.
For me, “Painted Saint” comes closest to straight ahead hardcore punk, pushing ahead on fuzzed-out guitars riding taut rattling drums, as almost droning vocal harmonies infuse the lyrics with Girl, Interrupted flavors. “Stop Pretending the Song’s Not About Me” travels on tight, squirming guitars topped by scornful vocals, while “Friends On Billboards” projects radiant background vocal harmonies on a pop-filled thrumming punk melody. On the bridge, the harmonics take on darker colors, as well as surging frissons.
“Running Backwards” opens on thick pulsing guitars, a crunching rolling groove, and nasal background harmonies that add sonic depth. Combined with the deeper intonations of the lead vocals, the buzzing harmonies imbue the tune with a cloak of skintight tension.
Even though billed as bubblegum punk, there’s an edge to The Tenth’s music that takes it one step past cheap, cheesy Power Puff music, giving it raw brawniness and gnashing dynamics. In other words, it is bubblegum punk, but it discharges definite steroidal oomph, too.
On Dunes, The Tenth deliver potent galvanizing impetus, captivating visceral melodies, and tight and right riot grrrl inflections.
