The New Dress certainly knows how to make a first impression. Twenty seconds into Where Our Failures Are the tandem sings out, "I'm setting of alarms and planning bombs instead of songs / And if the cops ask I'm their man!" The New Dress holds nothing back, singing stripped down folk-punk about socialism and society, covering Billy Brag and Ed Pickford, while still providing the personal effects to not make Where Our Failures Are a fully political album, but rather of two people unafraid to bare it all.
The New Dress is comprised of Laura Fidler and Bill Manning, both tackling vocals and Manning taking the acoustic and electric guitar. The New Dress could easily be a Plan-It-X band, as they play naked, raw folk punk with a focus on energy and passion rather than perfect melody. It's obvious that neither Manning nor Fidler are completely comfortable in their roles, unsure of their voices and abilities. But instead of detracting from the album, it only adds to it. After all, the album is called Where Our Failures Are, and the tandem have no problem putting them all on the table. It's not necessarily about the skill, but rather about the ability and the hope.
Both Fidler and Manning have rigid, raspy voices that help all to the overall feel of the album. That being said, their words are forceful, and while maybe not confident in their voices they are certainly confident in the message. In "Yeah But No," they state with certainty, "We'll overcome your fears and we'll become them," having no doubt that any problem they face will be dealt with and beaten back.
As stated above, what makes Where Our Failures Are recognizable is how personal and stripped down the album is. Essentially it's just two people and a guitar, with the feeling of no barrier in between the team of Fidler and Manning and the listener. "Wake Up," features Manning doing vocals by himself, his warbling voice reminiscent of a scared boy in front of his classmates, hoping he gets through the song without any slip ups. It's gut wrenching and admirable at the same time, but Manning probably wouldn't want it any other way. Fidler, while having a much more pure voice, is equally as personal, as she sings, "I know the way to my heart is through broken ribs."
While playing your simple folk punk chords, The New Dress proves that it is possible to create substantial without many materials. It's political, but more importantly it is honesty in the sense of the word, with no veils or curtains.
