Spectreview: Mannequin Pussy – Patience

-FUCHSIA PINK-

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“I was standing in the gates of my hell
I was standing in the gates of my hell”

Philadelphia punk rock band Mannequin Pussy have a new record called Patience, and it’s a lot to take in. On a purely surface level it bears several basic hallmarks of today’s punk music; historically omnivorous, melodically sound, lyrically downcast, fast and loud in parts, slow and soft in others. But then the finer details emerge, and something truly profound starts taking shape. Those old sounds, distorted shoegaze (brilliant, intense lead single “Cream”), blistering hardcore (the delightfully vengeful “F.U.C.A.W.”) and youthful pop-punk (resolving closer “In Love Again”) ground the listener in the past, in a time of shaky footing and heightened vulnerability. On that level, lead singer Marisa Dabice pens, with narrative cohesion and an unnerving attention to detail, a waking nightmare of domestic violence and self-worthlessness that transports you right into the center of the firestorm. Through her words (and pitch-perfect sequencing), the naked emotion of “Drunk II” pierces further, the unresolved inner torment in “Cream” hits even harder, and the confusion and abuse in “Fear/+/Desire” becomes an unfortunate skeleton key for the band’s aural assault. She’s also the reason why the album’s moments of lightness and resistance feel earned; “High Horse’s” delicate turning point leads to the violent catharsis of “F.U.C.A.W.,” as well as the ebullient anti-suicide anthem “Who You Are” (additionally, all proceeds from the Bandcamp release go to The Trevor Project, a charity devoted to suicide-prevention for LGBT youth). Mannequin Pussy have delivered a truly great punk record, rife with inspired melodies and power capable of rousing even the most jaded listener. A must-listen.

Highly recommended for venues at max capacity.