A brief, forgettable moment in the sun

Electric Six has released yet another album this month, and just in time for spooky season, it is titled Bride of the Devil. Having released fifteen albums in the past fifteen years, this band has no idea when to quit. Described as rock infused with elements of “garage, disco, punk, new wave and metal,” this six-piece group has had its go at many genres, although they mostly miss the mark at their attempts to diversify their hair-metal dominated sound.

This album is no different than their previous ones, for the most part, except for a few slower, nostalgia educing tracks like “Full Moon Over the Internet” and “The Worm in the Wood.” The first elicits memories of the first time you ever heard Oasis’ “Wonderwall,” with angsty vocals and a catchy opening guitar riff. Floating further into the dark abyss often projected by the band, “The Worm in the Wood” sounds as if it should join the likes of the Eagles on the soundtrack of a Tarantino film, its country sounds and mellow harmonies evoking the desire to watch Kill Bill or From Dusk Till Dawn.

“Safety Girl,” despite the indecipherable nature of the lyrics which speak of “hints of Dijon mustard and a mayonnaise derived from Lemonade” and being “forced to sit cross-legged and listen to Jazz,” is an irresistibly fun dance tune, with beats reminiscent of ‘90s punk and ska bands like No Doubt and even Sublime. “(It Gets a Little) Jumpy” is also a pretty fun karaoke-worthy tune which brings back the familiar sounds of the ‘90s and early 2000s rock ballads from the likes of the Foo Fighters.

Despite the grace of these few songs, the rest of the album is not unlike what we have previously heard from them, time and time again. “The Opener,” “Bride of the Devil” and “Daddy’s Boy” are the same hair-metal ballads that we have consistently received from the Electric Six.

Overall, this album is not the worst they have ever made, but it isn’t necessarily some of their best work. If you feel like sifting through song after song until you come across one worth listening to, then The Devil’s Bride may be for you, but there is definitely some risk of feeling lost and unsatisfied.