The Los Angeles based psychedelic rock group Warpaint has several components that direct attention their way. The most notable fact about the band is that all four members are women. All-female rock acts are far and few between, and nothing screams “rock ‘n’ roll!” like breaking social norms. Another piece of information that is important to the history of the band is that former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante helped mix their 2008 EP titled Exquisite Corpse. Frusciante’s influence is apparent in Warpaint’s debut LP The Fool, which echoes a RHCP sound that emerged in their later albums such as Californication and Stadium Arcadium.

The Fool opens up with “Set Your Arms Down”, a hypnotic song that lulls the listener with ghostly backup vocals and well-implemented guitar riffs. The melancholy tone of the album is established when desolate lyrics reverberate in the self-titled track “Warpaint” and “Undertow”. Both of which begin as simple yet trance-inducing rhythms that spin into guitar orientated breakdowns accompanied by attention grabbing bass lines. Emily Kokal’s vocals dominate as the album moves along with “Shadows” and ‘Composure”. The intensity of The Fool drops off in “Baby” and “Majesty”, but the sleepy, melodic guitar is very soothing as the album winds to a close.

Despite it being a relatively short album (only nine tracks), Warpaint delivers with The Fool. Guitarists/vocalists Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman demonstrate excellent harmony that will launch Warpaint to the next level in the indie rock scene. Having already established a reputation for live shows, their new release will only build their fan base. Be sure to hop on the Warpaint wagon, for anyone who misses out on this excellent album will be quite the fool.