Here’s one for all those masochistic males, dom-style women and bloodletters everywhere. Melpomeni, a long-serving member of the Mediaeval Baebes and a regular habitue and performer at the now defunct Colony Room, is about to unleash a first solo album of her peculiarly pungent psychodramas. Titled, with characteristic melodrama, “8 Tragedies, 2 Love Songs & A Breakdown” (Lighthouse Records) kicks off with one of the most delicious instant classics I’ve heard in a long time. Titled “I Want Him Dead” (key phrase the Salome-inspired “Bring me his head on a plate”), it’s a song that’ll no doubt prompt plenty of “Kate Bush with a knife in her hands” style hyperbole. It’s certainly been a while since I’ve heard something so spine-tingling, the song’s artery-slicing effect achieved simply with mesmerising piano motif and a voice that positively crackles with vengeance.
But it’s not all broken glass assaults on the nether regions of jilted males. Amid the teeth-baring bile of “Are We Even Now?” and “You’ve Hung The Wrong Bitch”, there’s a barmy cover of Bolan’s “Juniper Suction”, a tender, conciliatory “Swim”, and catharsis on “Let There Be Light”. Out in June/July. You have been warned.
4 Responses to Back Door Woman
Yes. I’ve seen her. Powerful stuff. Not heard anything like it before.
I’ve seen her live, she was awesome. I’m really looking forward to hearing the album.
I don’t normally comment on artists but having seen Melpomeni play at the Colony Rooms, the stripped down and simple set-up of her gig only helped me focus on what a captivating and poignant songwriter she is.
Hauntingly beautiful…..I can’t wait for the album !!!