Doll Factory/Very Own Life - Review

It's easy to lament the lack of positive role models or good messages in popular music culture, or even good song writing, but Golddigger are three bright Sheffield women who are successfully off their proverbial backsides and out there doing something about it. Their recent release of two EP's at once was a brave one, attempting to reach a discerning older audience, with an acoustic CD, and the younger pop-loving masses with the Doll Factory EP!

'Doll Factory' is a no-holds-barred electro-pop CD. For your money you'll be rewarded with 7 tracks of funky, infectious beats, sing-a-long choruses and very high quality vocals; and it doesn't take long to realise the ingredients that have been thrown into this melting pot are more than greed or even just sincere ambition – the makings of these songs have been in the struggles of their teenage experiences, years of deep soul searching and questions about the way the world seems to be. Which hits the heart of what Golddigger are about – a resource for the healthy development of teenage minds and self esteem. Just Didn't Think and Biere Blonde are instances of a slightly more aggressive sound that is at once inviting and also balanced that keep this music firmly on the side of credible artistry - and you on your toes! You'll be filing it on your shelf next to Kylie and Goldfrapp, but you'll be coming back to Golddigger for a depth of insight and understanding of life a lot more than you will to those. Subject matter ranges from teenage abortion (Biere Blonde) to the question of self image (Beautiful Self) and the empty consumerism that tells us to all look and think the same (Doll Factory).

The 'Very Own Life' EP however, treads an offbeat territory that many other musicians would be scared to go. The title track carries off a great groove driven melody and with Joy bouncing along at an infectious beat there's no missing the point that these are limber authors. The story-telling is engrossing and the use of some haunting cello beautifully underlines that. There's vibrant guitar hooks too (Beautiful Self) and all is laid on a bed of fresh toe-tapping percussion.

Pop artists are often cast in a certain mould but these EPs prove the musical and songwriting integrity behind this self managed trio. It is so refreshing to see authentic songwriters treading a rare path of creativity and vision rather than the well worn commercial highway.

You can buy both EPs for £10 or they are £6 each, T-shirts badges and stuff; from www.golddigger.org.uk and find out more about the work they do with teenaged girls and their upcoming gigs...