Unusual is the word which ran through my mind while listening to this one. That’s no criticism. Two brothers moved from Croatia to Italy, settled there and formed Spellbound Dazzle. They certainly have an interesting musical outlook. At times while listening to “Unreal Fairy Tales” I found myself somewhere between the madhouse, a circus and a rowdy pub. But it’s not one of those albums with no boundaries. There are definite styles in there. To quote the band’s own site, they peddle “a modern metal and classic rock hybrid with progressive influences and polka rhythms”.
“Goodbye My Love” typifies the best of this band. It’s strange, but has an indie feel, a hypnotic beat and is very catchy and bouncy. There’s also a high degree of showmanship here. “The Foolin’ of Each Other” is another crowd-pleaser. It’s a catchy rock number before degenerating into a bit of an anarchic riot. “SBD” and “So Close” run into each other. “SBD” is heavy but develops strangely and in an offbeat sort of way, which is not dissimilar to Atrox. It becomes ghoulish and works into the bizarre “So Close”. There’s something unsettling about the vocals on “So Close”. It’s as if your head is spinning after you’ve had a few and you decide to listen to it. The structure is similarly obtuse. A nightmare evolves in which we’ve given the impressions that the dolls in the bedroom have come alive. This somehow turns into a rock groove and then the lads start singing their chorus again. It all ends in the tones of a Russian drinking song. “So Close to Insanity” would have been a more appropriate title for this imaginative track.
After “So Close”, the tracks are more classic but there’s no lack of variety. “Monster” has a similar rhythm to “So Close”. The vocals are more boyish and it has a nice groove. Where “Monsters” is a fun track, “In My Room” which follows is serious. It’s slower, acoustic and more reflective. There’s good use of the mediterranean guitar on it. This is the exception, and we’re soon back to the fast rocking beat of “Rullo”. There’s a touch of electro, it stops, starts and changes. The vocals are typically offbeat and unusual in the style of Elvis Costello or an 80s indie singer. “W.I.T.M.S (When I Touch Myself)” generates another surprise with its bluesy rock. The rhythm recalls Free’s “Alright Now”. So it’s no real surprise, as this is an album of the unexpected, for the next track “Ruska” to be a bouncy, rousing accordion extravaganza. The “Outro” is a simultaneously sad, yet upbeat flute-led orchestral piece, reflecting the broad nature of this unconventional work.
“Unreal Fairy Tales” is a unique album. The colourful sleeve artwork reflects its kaleidoscopic nature. I wasn’t always inspired by the classic rock or by the vocals, but I liked its eccentricities and it’s lively and interesting. Overall it’s fun, well produced and enjoyable to listen to.
http://www.spellbounddazzle.com
http://www.myspace.com/spellbounddazzle
http://www.la-records.com
