It’s a cut-throat world, and very few things are as dangerous to new endeavours as a celebrated past. ‘Diploid Love’ is Brody Dalle’s debut solo record, in the strictest sense of the phrase, and her first outing since Spinnerette evaporated following the release of a single album in 2009.
Similarly, the Distillers have been off the table for almost a decade, but they still cast a long shadow from which their leader must step time and again. Dalle has never been as intoxicating as when she fronted the band, who left behind three superb full-lengths steeped in feral hardcore and, latterly, a winning pop-rock sheen, but that time is over.
If ‘Spinnerette’ was a diversion, then ‘Diploid Love’ represents more of a permanent destination. Aside from a few notable contributions - step forward Shirley Manson, Mariachi El Bronx and Warpaint’s Emily Kokal - Dalle played almost every note of the record’s nine songs and, with producer Alain Johannes, has crafted something that stands alone.
It’s an album informed by experience, both defiant and aggressive at turns. Since the Distillers split, Dalle has continued to fend off shots from meathead punks over her divorce from Tim Armstrong, overcome drug addiction, married Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and had children. It’s a lot to filter into one record, but she’s managed to do something approximating that.
‘Diploid Love’ is sharper than ‘Spinnerette’ and certainly in possession of a more rugged style. With relentless drum machines powering shards of distorted guitar, Dalle lets fly with a barrage of throaty melodies that are singularly hers. Motherhood is a recurring theme, as is resolve and starting over no matter the damage. If anything, the more generic statements of rebellion ring hollow when placed next to lyrics that document experience.
It’s not perfect - the pace is wont to drop and several choruses lose their way when they should be going for jugular - but Dalle's remains a compelling voice. ‘Diploid Love’ won't be enough to silence the clamouring for a Distillers reunion, but for those able to move on there’s treasure here.
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