Cavedoll is prolific, almost to the point of absurdity. The neo-new wave group from Salt Lake City, UT has released 13 albums in the past year, with a total of ten albums due out in 2008. At the root of it all is the hyper-active imagination of frontman, producer and multi-instrumentalist Camden Chamberlain. For Cavedoll's latest release, No Vertigo, Chamberlain and the rest of his band serve up a hip-shaking burst of feel-good energy, inspired by '80s synth pop, electronica and punk.
The album opens with the infectious and explosive "Decoder," with a driving synth bass groove and Chamberlain's crooning voice singing, "you know you want it!"
"'Decoder' was inspired by the big, dancey mash of music I was listening to at the time, spanning several decades," says Chamberlain. "The lyrics and music are meant to reflect the over-sexed mindset of someone who is caught up in the speed and chaos of modern city life."
No Vertigo takes a slightly darker, Cure-like tone on songs like "Cut in Half" and "Soma E Coup," while tracks like "The Past That Was" and "Now Is Our Time" are quieter and more introspective. But the urge to dance is still there.
"In my teens and early 20s I immersed myself in such a wide array of styles from avant-garde jazz to middle eastern folk to hardcore to emo to IDM," says Chamberlain. "When browsing the Cavedoll catalogue you'll hear all of those influences reflected in some form or another."
Among the Cavedoll albums due out this year is what Chamberlain calls a "strictly electronic album of covers of mostly '90s alternative songs," from artists like Janes Addiction, Sonic Youth and Tori Amos.
Camden's wife, Vanessa Angulo Chamberlain, shares lead-vocal duties in Cavedoll, and co-produces the music. For live performances they're joined by Janet Marie Chotia on bass, Allison Martin on keys, and Ryan Petersen on drums.
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