REVIEW: L7, Hungry for Stink (Slash)
- Martin Bate
If we forget L7's self titled debut (and God knows, *they* seem to!) then think about the following. This record moves away from the Butch Vig produced sheen of their previous major label debut and sounds like a step back to the days of the Sub Pop album that brought them to the public's attention. Remind you of anyone ?
Not that I'm trying to compare L7 to 'that band', I just thought the coincidence was interesting!
So, what we have here is a pleasantly frayed collection of two-chord droning punk songs (played at various tempos) with snotty vocals and 'fuck you!' hooklines. Even the first single, 'Andres', an apology to a guy who's "really nice" has the tone of a hate song!
Everything on this record is frayed - the vocals, the guitars, the drums and even the ladies themselves judging by the lyrics to songs such as 'Qestioning My Sanity' and 'Stuck Here Again'. Its been a while since I heard guitars this dirty on a major label album - there's feedback all over the place, not for effect, but because there's so much fuzz piled on that something's got to give.
Two of the stand outs :'Shirley' is L7 meets 'Jesus Built My Hotrod', with Jennifer trading lines with samples from the film "Heart Like a Wheel", about the first female drag racer. "What's a girl like you doing here ?" "Winning." Nuff said.
And when 'Riding With a Movie Star' brings toytown organ (courtesy of FNM's Roddy Bottum), a xylophone, bongos and hand claps in with the fuzz guitar, even the most jaded (yes you!) will crack a smile.
So.......a great collection of frazzled punk rock. They would eat Green Day for breakfast.
