Go Betty Go
Worst Enemy (Side One Dummy)
by Ewan Wadharmi
I guess you could call this pop-punk as the press does. After all, there is some sweet Nena “99 Luftballons” Kerner-styled singing and the tunes are easy to stick in your head. But the image I get is of Chuck Taylors and leather jackets at CBGB’s. Pop perhaps, but damn good driving bombastic pop that reminds me of The Rezillos and X-Ray Specs. The young ladies in this outfit are probably too young to know those references, and why should they care? With a sound this solid, all the comparisons do is date the reviewer. The kids just want to know if it rocks, and it does in such a way that it’s hard to get out of your stereo or your mind. A hint of surf and a bit of Spanish language add flavor and the first clue that they aren’t Norwegians emulating American culture. There is an innocence that emanates from honesty rather than the industry mandate that turns mouseketeers into hosebeasts on the second outing. But like any girl next door worth her salt, they’ll fuck you up if you screw with them. Like Fabulous Disaster, it’s only fair to leave “girl” out of any band description. It’s just damn good ’77-styled punk (they also both have cute, chunky guitarists putting out chunky riffs. Grrrrrr!).
(www.sideonedummy.com)