Face it - there aren't that many female-fronted upright-bass-playing horror pop bands these days. Even so, it's tough to sidestep the charms Patricia Day and her Halloween squad present for their third full-length disc, "Kiss Kiss Kill Kill".

Musically speaking, the band is shit hot, bolstered by ex-members of veteran Danish psychobilly masters NECROMANTIX. Although Day's vocals are the obvious center of attention, the band's musical prowess shines through during the CURE-like guitar clangor in the title track and the wicked instrumental, "Horrorbeach, Part 2".

Vocally speaking, Ms. Day is equally impressive. The emphasis seems more rooted in pop than horror, but the tunes are delivered with flair. From a lyrical standpoint, this band is not seeking to create the next "Radio Ethiopia". The catty wardrobe criticism of "Disco" and saccharine-coated chorus of the title track suggest pep rallies and pom-poms instead of crypts and catacombs. But on the whole, "Kiss Kiss Kill Kill" drips with singalong hooks and vocal charisma, representing an attractive pick-up for fans of stuff like TILT or THE EPOXIES. The horror shtick may seem wafer-thin, but it sets THE HORRORPOPS apart and Day wears it well.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.horrorpops.com

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