Scarling - Sweet Heart Dealer (CD)

All Music Guide

One look at Scarling might suggest that they're a new batch of gothinclined neohipsters ready to sell themselves to America's disaffected youth in the wake of the breakthrough of Evanescence. However, while a spin of their debut fulllength Sweet Heart Dealer confirms that legions of mopey kids should go for this big time, it's also clear that this band has a an awful lot more going for them than the surfaces might suggest. While dominated by the massive guitar sounds of Christian Hejnal and Rickey Lime, Scarling's songs display a canny pop sensibility that bobs just beneath their aural surface, and former Jack Off Jill vocalist Jessicka's voice seems to have gained some welcome depth and texture in the context of her new band. Henjal and Jessicka have cited Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine as key influences on Scarling's approach, and it shows rather than going for standardissue Marshall stack crunch, Henjal and Lime utilize feedback, drones and floating masses of overtone to give ...these seven songs an attack that could be described as a loving pummel that embraces as it bruises. And you can actually sing along with "Band Aid Covers The Bullet Hole" without hurting yourself, which is no small feat. Sweet Heart Dealer is a remarkably accomplished debut from a band with very real potential. - Mark Deming, All Music Guide Read more Less