Bullet Height
No Atonement
(Superball Music)
Electronic rock really doesn’t really exist any longer as a common style. Electronic pop, indie, and metalcore are all going relatively strong (at least in number, if less so in quality), but groups that combine electronic and hard rock sensibilities are at a premium. Sure, there are too damn many third-rate Nine Inch Nails- or Marilyn Manson-inspired acts, but, thankfully, the international collaboration Bullet Height are something much different. Their sound hearkens back to a group with another (unrelated) Manson: Shirley Manson’s Garbage.
Bullet Height is the collaboration between UK artist Jon Courtney of progressive rock group Pure Reason Revolution and LA veteran Sammi Doll. Theirs is a style that effortlessly straddles multiple decades and sub-styles of rock and electronic to create a wonderfully winning formula. There are big hints of 80s goth, 90s grunge, and 00s prog rock on one side, with dark and deceptively bouncy electronic beats and synth melodies to help bolster Doll’s exemplary vocals. These are songs that are designed to be equally effective in a German basement club and a Summer Festival. Courtney’s experience in Pure Reason Revolution is clear, as he has crafted a wonderful array of eclectic but interconnected songs; yet, No Atonement is an intimate and personal record that serves to highlight Doll’s talents. Her expressiveness and melodic vocals (the two share vocal duties successfully, to be fair) are excellent, and each song has at least one massive hook that peaks its head out from the noise.
Bullet Height have come out of nowhere and crafted one Hell of an album. For a debut, this is exceptionally assured and remarkable for its ability to hook the listener from the get go and never really let go until the two mediocre closing numbers. That said, those looking to remember how enjoyable electronic rock used to be, Bullet Height are for you.
