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Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004 by nojman
Hector - Bitch, Bitch, Bitch
(DKap Entertainment)

Hector are a Canadian duo consisting of bassist Andréa Hector and drummer Darryl R. Shackelly.  The duo began collaborating in 1999 on a four track EP, the same year Andréa was short listed for a rotation in Courtney Love's group Hole.  After minor success with their EP Destructika , including featuring a track on the video game "Steer madness", Bitch, Bitch, Bitch , is Hector's debut album and sees them combining pop-rock sensibilities with additional programmed electronic effects.

The first thing that is apparent when listening to Hector is their ability to make a lot of noise for just a two piece (making one curious how this would transfer live).  The live rock style drumming of Shackelly contrasts interestingly with Hector's often heavily effects ridden bass playing and synth programming.  This is immediately apparent on opening track Forgiveness, which sees Shackelly thumping the skins with a slow but hard and methodical beat whilst Hector's bass line keeps the rhythm section deep and heavy with acid synth lines fading in and out.  All the while Hector's voice penetrates through, reminiscent of Juliana Hatfield in sound and thus giving many of the songs an indy rock touch.

The Juliana Hatfield influence is the most obvious, especially on tracks such as Weapon with the electronica components less obvious and the catchy chorus (almost Cranberries in sound).  At their heavier moments, such as on tracks like Cameo , fellow Canadians The Tea Party come to mind.  Meanwhile they make it easy helping identifying some of their earlier influences with a fairly straight up cover of Blondies Call Me whilst Feel Much Better sees them exploring more of a funk beat and groove.

Bitch, Bitch, Bitch grows after a few listens.  Initial impressions of being under produced (especially in the recording of the drums) fade as the warmth of Hector's vocals sink in; angsty at times, they are what holds the album together.  This debut is a solid effort that hopefully leads them to being able to explore greater opportunities.