Taxi Doll's 'Here and Now'

Waiting for new Taxi Doll Music

"Waiting" was a major addition to any dance fan's collection in 2006. Compiled with a bevy of mixes, the track was played incessantly on dance radio and in clubs across the country. "Waiting" even reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart and at least #27 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart! But as anyone who watches the Billboard dance charts will tell you, success there doesn't mean anything for the longevity of an artist. It took them a while, but Taxi Doll managed to produce another club track, "Be With You," followed by 2008 mixes of "Waiting." It was nice to hear new material and new mixers for a classic track. But all there was to go off for Taxi Doll were these two singles and a lackluster album with a collection of bland tracks and "Waiting."

'Here and Now' in 2009

2009, however, brings us Here and Now, Taxi Doll's sophomore effort. In keeping with the "rocktronica" genre they placed themselves into, Here and Now is a gentle fusion of rock and electronica, although the tracks themselves lend to a more pop sensibility akin to All Saints' Studio 1 album.

The group is promising, comprised of American musicians and a European singer, making music that is less likely to come out of the states than Europe. However somewhere along the way, there is a fatal line-up flaw. The album is tolerable, for sure, but when it comes to anything outstanding or memorable, it falls miraculously short. It explores some interesting ideas and has some good moments, with the reggae beat of "Here and Now" and the simple melodies of "Winter." Mostly though, while all the ingredients should combine to a wonderful result, fail to rise to the occasion. Take "Be With You," for example, which has a rousing, energetic beat and good lyrics, but due to the simple sweetness of vocalist Dhana, the track lacks the edge of comparable group Garbage. Shirley Manson's passionate and twisted vocals make the progressive sounds of Garbage palatable instead of stale, and Taxi Doll simply lacks that sort of personality.

Summary

Released February 2009 on Antidote Recordings