Emily Duff Rocks With Abandon on ‘Razor Blade Smile’
Henry Carrigan
Posted On July 22, 2021
Emily Duff rocks all night, delivering soulful songs that probe the depths of our emotions, the jagged edges of our relationships, the persistent ache of desire, and joy of being alive. Duff wraps her messages in tight three-minute songs that propel us out of our chairs and keep us moving around the room, or the dance floor.
Razor Blade Smile launches into the stratosphere with the propulsive “Go Fast, Don’t Die,” which urges a suck-all-the-life-out-your-day attitude: “Clock’s tickin’ don’t be chicken / Going, going, gone / Y’all better start livin’ / Get up, get out, why ask why / Go fast, don’t die.”
Lesley Gore meets the Bobby Fuller Four on the galloping, not-gonna-take-it-anymore song “Gimme Back My Love,” while the soulful “Done and Done” rides in on Eric “Roscoe” Ambel’s screaming guitar line and floats along Charlie Giordano’s organ strains. A roadhouse punk rocker — sort of The Clash meets Jerry Lee Lewis — the title track rollicks and rumbles with abandon and relish: “I’m gonna shake the whole damn world until the change falls out.”
“Another Goodbye” shimmers along a bluesy vibe until it brightens into resignation and acceptance in the chorus, while the country rocker “Feelin’ Alright” affirms that in spite of her traveling blues Duff’s feeling right at home in a way.
Emily Duff has a way with words and tunes that keep us singing along to the songs of Razor Blade Smile long after we’ve finished listening to the album. She leaves us feeling alright, indeed.
