Album Review

Eva Plays Dead – Guilt Trips And Sins

• 13th Mar 2013

Derby rockers Eva Plays Dead were previously known as BuryTheLadybird. The name change came a few months ago as the band prepared for the launch of their long awaited debut album … and Guilt Trips And Sins is certainly worth the wait.

Eva Plays Dead are Tiggy Dockerty (vocals), Matt Gascoyne (guitar), Zach Shannon (bass) and Seb Boyse (drums). They have a fast and hard hitting rock sound that is built around the combination of a fine female vocalist with a powerful voice and a great range, a powerhouse rhythm section and searing guitar work that is fluid and exciting. But they have subtlety as well as raw energy in their work too.

Taken Over Control opens the album with a big guitar riff that emerges from a feedback hum before Tiggy Dockerty’s vocals take over, strident and confident. The powerful sound hurtles forward before slowing as the central question of the track is considered: is it a man’s world? Dockerty certainly doesn’t think so, and she is clearly in charge here, asserting a strong message of female control.

Lead single We’re Gonna Make It features guest Joe Hill from heavy metal band Grand Ultra on vocals. This anthemic track would make a great live set opener, setting the scene for a band who are certain to “make it rock tonight.” Some great guitar work added to the two fine lead vocals makes this an early highlight, as a romantic tale is woven around the musical theme.

I Think I’m Crazy is another fine track, building from a big drum roll and a lovely bass line before the vocals again dominate. Dockety shows tremendous control here, her voice forceful and expressive but never becoming a shout. There’s a wonderful manic energy here, as a great guitar riff competes with the vocals for attention.

There is a lot of variety in the middle of the album. This is clearly a band that doesn’t just rock it out all of the time. Secret has a different form of vocal delivery, as short lines are spat out staccato style and a softer slow section with just the grumbling bass backing the singer. There’s a clear jazz influence to the rock sound here, and it will work superbly when played live.

In Her Shoes is faster and passionate, reverb on the vocals giving a different feel to this break up tale. And then Keep It Shut starts softly – but the restraint can’t last and Dockerty soon cuts loose as she issues a defiant ultimatum: “if you can’t keep it shut then walk out the door.” Who Needs That comes next, another to combine jazz phrasing with a rock feel.

He’s So Rock And Roll tells of a rock god who has all of the girls’ attention, the vocals soaring passionately and a great guitar solo adding intensity to another excellent track. Things Change tells of a failed relationship in a tone that is more defiance and anger than regret; the former lover here is clearly not missed. He’s had his chance and blew it.

The lovely closing track You Can Have All My Money is another that starts slowly before bursting into life. There’s a more reflective feel at work, and it works well. The message here is that there are more important things than fame and fortune, and it ends the album on a positive note.

Eva Plays Dead have produced a very good debut album in Guilt Trips And Sins. The quality of the songwriting is excellent and musically there are clearly a very talented band. The combination of classic rock with occasional jazz influences gives a sultry and sophisticated sound that is also very powerful and potent.

The band will be out on tour across the UK to promote the album over the next few weeks – I’m really looking forward to seeing then in Glasgow.

Venue: Guilt Trips And Sins
Support Band: Artifex Records