Doll – Better Days, Different Times

Doll
Better Days, Different Times
Out: July 18^th, 2025
Playing time: 23:30

The alternative rock band Doll hailing from Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) have been around for quite a long time. At least since 2009, when they released their debut album ‘Inside The Dollhouse’. ‘The Ragdoll Diaries’ followed two years later. This was obviously followed by a longer hiatus. The couple Christina and Pete Kasper decided to put the band on ice. But they didn’t turn their backs on the music business. For the past twenty years (including the break), the two have supported Ottawa’s local Rock scene. Now they are back with their new album ‘Better Days, Different Times’. Although. with a playing time of twenty-three and a half minutes, it’s probably more of an EP.

‘Bleeding’ is a colourful mixture of Hard and Alternative Rock, paired with influences from Punk and Gothic, in a very melancholic sounding melody. The powerful voice of singer Christina Kasper dominates like a siren. ‘Shark Bait’ is another step up. It sounds a little weirder, a little harder and also a little faster. The punk attitude clearly comes through here. I first had to ‘hear well’ the rather unconventional Deep Purple cover ’Smoke On The Water”. Nothing to do with Hard Rock. Is there such a thing as Doom Punk or Doom Alternative? Once you have familiarised yourself with this version, it is very impressive. You are literally overwhelmed by the dark walls of guitars. ‘Scene Dream’ offers another new musical sound colour. It tends towards Indie Rock, with some beautiful melodic arcs. ‘Ends Like This’ is also very melodic. Christina sings mostly clearly with a dark timbre. The final song is appropriately called ‘Goodbye’ and is also characterised by beautiful melodies. Some of the vocals are breathed loudly. And you can quickly sing along to the chorus. Towards the end, it becomes even more powerful and rocking.

With “Better Days, Different Times”, Doll don’t necessarily fulfil my musical comfort zone. The musical mix that I mentioned at the beginning runs through all six songs. There are some parts that sound a little dissonant. But for the most part, melodies take centre stage. Christina Kasper’s versatile voice is impressive. This disc should not be listened to by Alternative or Punk Rock fans. A “normal” Rock fan could also enjoy it.

Doll – Smoke On The Water: https://youtu.be/cynliYX-Djk?si=4fDo4I-1llV9JT8S

Lineup:

Pete Kasper – Guitar
Christina Kasper – Guitar, Vocals, Bass
Chris Zimmerman – Drums on Smoke on the Water,
Josh Hart – All the Rest
Raphael Weinroth-Browne – Cello
Phil Campbell – Keys
Athanasios Maravelis – Extra Guitars

Track list:

• Bleeding
• Shark Bait
• Smoke on the Wate
• Scene Dream
• Ends Like This
• Goodbye