This band rocks in the traditions of Hanoi and NY Dolls, only 2000 style!!! The drumming is exceptional on this release, hope to see them in the states soon!!!!
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Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd find another vocalist that could make my toes curl with desired effect, afterall, it's ONLY a voice! Am I stir crazy? I'm beginning to think so! But hey… it's gotta be a good thing… yes?

And YES it is, she screams! 

Now, there may be some of you that could be put off by the Sparkling Bombs dark, disturbing lyrics and their, somewhat theatrical ambience and appearance, but if you remove those blinkers, you're bound to be impressed… just let the music talk for itself. Especially those of you who pine for the likes of Robin Black & the IRS and Rachel Stamp, because believe me when I say… the Sparkling Bombs are close running compadres… so much so, they'd definitely give them a run for their money. So watch your backs guys!

All in all, 10 tracks of pure unadulterated poetical beauty shimmering with powder puff n' glitter, so hurry up n' get your backsides over here to the UK cos you've got this lil Spice Girl excited!


by Spice D. Warlock
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Promise is a real iffy premise to base anything on. Some bands never get better, pumping out mediocre music year after year or breaking up altogether just when the going gets tough. Others continue to improve and eventually unfurl into full-blown band-dom making the, at times difficult, and not so linear transition from good to worthwhile. 

The Sparkling Bombs are one of those bands with promise. They have guts. Attitude. Chops. And on their first full-length album, they are beginning to trade in their potential for a bit of hard-earned reality. 

On Dead Dreams from the Silver Gutter, The Bombs parlay songs from their first e.p., From Bubble Gum Fun to Glitter Depression, and add in a liberal spate of new material. What's different this time around, though, is the level of confidence shown by the Bombs, both in production and in performance. 

Gone is the shaky footing of Lead Singer Alyss as he scales his way through the material. On DDFTSG, Alyss is involved inextricably with the material set forth. Every song seethes with his cocky exuberance and confrontational showmanship - traits that were not only missing on BF, but are also more befitting his eyeliner and fishnets. 

Production wise, the five-some from Paris have also come a long way. Big guitars, swanky percussion and a larger-than-life consistency (especially on songs like "Trust In Dust" and the rollicking "Candyfloss Girl") brings an energy to Dead Dreams that is more akin to a high-impact superconductor than a shout in a DIY vacuum. Missing this time out are the musical gaps and unevenness that mired the luminosity of Bubblegum Fun. Instead, on Dead Dreams, The Bombs now stake the arrow firmly in the bulls-eye, nailing riff to riff, vocal to backbeat. 

The Bombs throw in super glossy liner notes as well as some CD-ROM material in the way of live videos. Both add depth to the lipstick&razorblade image purveyed by the Bombs and brings the music to the forefront of their decadent 10-song spree. While the videos aren't anything too state-of-the-art or overly dramatic, they are a sweaty intro to the band in action. Something North American audiences still have yet to experience. 

The Sparkling Bombs are exemplary of how to be a good band. Not only do they have goods songs and an obvious sense of togetherness; they also have, for lack of a better word, sticktoitiveness. The hard work shows and as a result, The Sparkling Bombs just keep getting better as is evidenced by their growth on Dead Dreams from the Silver Gutter. If the current infatuation with bands like The Darkness keeps up, you may just be hearing about these guys (and girl) whether you like it or not.
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A really impressive package from these Frenchie glambabies. I mean, this thing looks like a million bucks (Euros, whatever), with a snappy booklet fulla tabloid style pix and inscrutable suicide-poetry lyrics, and if ya pop this ‘un into a PC, it’ll spew all kindsa cool stuff at ya- videos, pics, the works. A top notch presentation, no doubt. How ‘bout musically, tho? Imagine that, the fuckers are actually good enuff to warrant the self-hype. How often does that happen, right? The Sparkling Bombs play glitter-gothy sleaze rock, almost, by definition, an exact cross ‘tween Hanoi Rocks and Lords of the New Church. Dark lyrics and minor-chords and a general air of batwing-ery is offset and glossed over by the big pop hooks and smashing cock rock guitars, and the whole fuckin’ thing just sounds so GOOD LOOKIN’, ya know? If the Bombs were a girl, you’d wanna fuck her senseless, that’s for sure. Twin candy-crunchers “Prettie Boy” and “It Hurts Me” are probably the most immediate ‘hits’, seein’ as they both bring to mind Hanoi, Poison, the Sweet, Love and Rockets, and Flesh for Lulu ALL AT ONCE, but, ya know, it’s not like the Sparkling Bombs go country or anything later on. Consistently decadent and overblown (in a good way, natch), “Dead Dreams from the Silver Gutter” is a winner. And yeah, I know, Bill O’ Reilly told ya not to buy any French products, but he lifted the ban after he heard this rekkid, so go get it, patriot. Viva le glam!
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