I’m On A Massive High

Dressy Bessy “The Things That You Say That You Do” – Dressy Bessy’s self-titled album from 2003 is the record that I’m sure Warner Brothers wished that Belly had turned in instead of King, and most definitely the album that I wanted it to be after I heard its first single “Now They’ll Sleep” on 120 Minutes back when I was 14. (That said, I still love the song “Puberty” with a fiery passion.) If only Dressy Bessy had made this record back then; they really would’ve had a shot at a minor alt-rock hit. But I’m not sure if that’s ever what they wanted, especially since they spent most of the 90s stuck in a regional twee indie ghetto that I don’t think they ever disliked. The songs on their older records are fine and occasionally sublime (see: “I Saw Cinnamon”), but this record is so strong and confident, distilling the very best of glossy 90s rock while keeping their identity intact. I wonder if this confidence is a result of not many people being around to care one way or another – the pressure’s off, just like how I never seem to sing as well as when I’m totally alone. (Click here to buy it from Dressy Bessy’s official site.)