L7
Reviewed on this page:
L7 - Smell The Magic - Bricks Are Heavy - Hungry For Stink - The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum
The first names in Riot Grrrl rock, which appears to be one part
hardcore, one part heavy metal and one part post-punk feminism.
Their who-gives-a-shit attitude results in a highly variable
quality of work: at their best they have catchy, gritty tunes,
individualistic lyrics, cool guitar effects and loads of attitude;
at their worst they're just another mindless loud rock band.
(DBW)
Personnel:
Jennifer Finch, bass, vocals; Suzi Gardner, guitar,
vocals; Donita Sparks, guitar, vocals; Ron Koutsky,
drums. Koutsky denounced as renegade Koutskyite, replaced by Dee
Plakas, 1991.
 L7 (1991)
This is their most punk-influenced work, with grinding guitars,
off-kilter riffs ("Bite The Wax Tadpole") and nursery rhyme
references ("Metal Stampede"). But they also use 60s rock effects
like wah-wah pedals for variety. It's not particularly serious, but
fun: they have a bunch of good hooks ("Cat-O'-Nine-Tails"), some
intriguing lyrics ("I Drink"), and a tribute to a classic
pseudofeminist B-movie ("Ms. 45"). Plus, they know when to shut up:
most tracks are under three minutes, and the one major exception,
"Uncle Bob," justifies its six-minute running time with interesting
guitar interplay. (DBW)
 Smell The Magic (1991)
This is an inexplicable shift to dull heavy metal, just like the
boys play it. (Actually, the lead guitars don't sound like metal -
they hark back even further, to the acid-rock sound of Big Brother.) They have a few
good riffs ("'Till The Wheels Fall Off"), some feminist politics
("Packin' A Rod") and they certainly have the clichés of the
form down cold, but it sure isn't enlightening. The lyrics are only
occasionally intriguing ("Broomstick"), too often relying on pat
denunciations ("American Society"). (DBW)
 Bricks Are Heavy (1992)
Produced by alternaguru Butch Vig,
and his disciplined approach actually helps here: the tunes are
based on solid riffs ("Everglade"), rambling is kept to an absolute
minimum, the lyrics are clever and even well-enunciated ("Diet
Pill"). They even use studio gimmicks on the spacey "Pretend We're
Dead." Nothing's particularly original, but it's mostly so enjoyable
you probably won't notice. On the downside, Vig occasionally steers
them into Nirvana territory ("One More Thing"). "Wargasm," their
clever comment on the Persian Gulf War among other things, got them
noticed. (DBW)
 Hungry For Stink (1994)
Their fourth record was their big commercial breakthrough, but
stylistically it's a relapse. The sound here is a little more
sped-up and grungy than Smell The Magic, with less of a late 60s
influence, but still nothing you haven't heard before, with clumsy
shouted lyrics ("Baggage") and overused guitar hooks ("The Bomb").
Things get better when they vary the formula, adding creepy guitar
effects on "Can I Run" and slowing the pace on the satisfying
"Stuck Here Again." The lyrics are routine post-punk fare
("Questioning My Sanity," "Freak Magnet"), though somewhat amusing
("Shirley"). Produced by the band with Gggarth. (DBW)
The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum (1997)
Jennifer Finch quit, and bass is handled by Greta Brinkman, who's not
credited as a band member. I don't know if it's a coincidence, but
all the punk influences are gone, along with any attempts at
experimentation - almost every song gets the same generic
midtempo "alternative" treatment, the sole exception being the
semi-acoustic "Non-Existent Patricia." Meanwhile, the recycled guitar
riffs are more obvious and familiar-sounding than ever, and the lyrics
are disappointing: the best number is probably the predictable "Off The
Wagon," and "The Masses Are Asses" doesn't come close to realizing its
potential. Unless you dig any attitudinal guitar band that comes down
the pike, you'll be wondering why you blew money on this. Produced by
Rob Cavallo, Joe Barresi and the band. (DBW)
Slap Happy (1999)
Released on their independent Wax Tadpole label; this time around Sparks played bass in addition to her usual guitar.
(DBW)
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