CD Review
X Takes The Square, Gooddess of Cool
by Rachelle Nones, Betty Magazine

If you're in the mood for kicking' it with some edgy punk, pop, rock or alternative electronic sounds, well then, you've come to the right place, because X Takes The Square has it all. X's Goddess of Cool was conceived when songwriter, bassist and co-producer Bill Bois, wrote some lyrics that he really believed in. Since he no longer had a band, he asked his former lead singer, Dana Victoria, if she'd agree to sing on his new album. Smart move. Dana's sometimes sassy, sometimes sultry voice fits Bill's street-smart lyrics like a custom-made glove. Then, Bill asked a group of seasoned musicians to agree to make cameo appearances on Goddess to push his sound in a new direction. The result of this experimental melding of musical talent is a satisfyingly edgy and eclectic album of punk rock, alternative, and electronic sounds with a dash of reggae tossed in for good measure.

The main themes are survival and self-reliance. Most of the songs are about acknowledging either a weakness or strength. The title track, "Goddess of Cool" is an empowering anthem about following one's heart and not being afraid to make mistakes along the way. Without sounding preachy, "Goddess of Cool" warns those who seek approval, that they are going in the wrong direction: "You don't need approval/Of presidents or village fools/Their knowledge is minuscule/so make your own set of rules."

The tone throughout is hard as a callous, confident, self-possessed and unwaveringly cool. With sassy lines like, "I have nothing to confess/I don't need forgiveness/I don't need acceptance" it is apparent that these lyrics weren't intended for the fainthearted.

Surprisingly enough, there's a bit of a wounded bird with a broken wing vulnerability permeating this album that most listeners can easily relate to. There's the catchy, fast-moving "From Sex To Serious," a punk-infused open wound of a tale about a heartbroken woman who is afraid to fall in love again, even though, "it's not healthy and some day I'll change."

One of the album's shortest, but sweetest tracks, "New Year's Eve" is a melancholy warning against codependent, obsessive love, sprinkled with powerful imagery. Dana's voice is mournfully mature and engaging as she woefully croons, "I'm like the moon/No light of my own/Only a reflection of you/You're gone." As the song gracefully unfolds, one can sense the deep and abiding loneliness that she feels. With the help of Dana's capable voice, I can feel her pain. I can visualize a heartbroken woman on New Year's Eve, sitting forlornly alone, feeling "stupid all over" while hopelessly longing for an ex-lover who is as distant as the metaphoric moon.

On the lighter side, there's the teasingly charming reggae track, "Trouble" that's well, it's about lust. It's about knowing that someone or something isn't very good for you, but well, why do you think they call it "Trouble?" This is a fun song, very light and enticing, with Dana's sassy voice sailing smoothly over the bouncing reggae beat.

Goddess of Cool is a publicist's worst nightmare, it's so diverse musically that's it's hard to categorize and listeners who are heavily into certain musical genres may not care for the wide-ranging menu. But the stylistic range is exactly what makes X Takes the Square so very interesting – they rock, they reggae, they pop. It's all good, and well worth a listen.

Rating: 4 Out Of 5 Kisses

Buy it!

Rachelle Nones is a freelance writer, book and music reviewer and can be reached at wordsmith3@prodigy.net.

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