On the surface, there is nothing spectacular about this record; no aural fireworks make you go wow or induce tears. Nina Gordon and Louise Post share vocals, guitars, and writing credits on an album less threatening than L7's work and more consistent than the Breeders' records.
But there is something special about Veruca Salt. The exuberant single, "Seether," has an addictive, seemingly inevitable riff that grabs your ears much the way the Breeders'"Cannonball" did. Irresistible.
"Spiderman '79" periodically erupts with a "whoooha-o, whoooha-o" chorus that could have been lifted from a classic early 80s Def Leppard track. The song sounds like a lost Joan Jett effort from Bad Reputation or I Love Rock and Roll.
The hollow guitar tones on "Sleeping Where I Want" and "Forsythia" harken back to the Cure at the time of landmark Goth records Faith and 17 Seconds. The mournful side of American Thighs is augmented by lyrics like: "bend me, shape me, anyway you can..." repeated during the brooding, dirge- like "25."
American Thighs manages to evoke many references without sacrificing cohesion. Two Post numbers, "All Hail Me" and "Victrola," sound particularly similar to L7, but the rest of the songs subvert influences into a refined, consistent sound. Because of the more contemplative parts of the album, the sound might be best described as an ethereal/grunge hybrid and best enjoyed by fans of bands like Smashing Pumpkins or Th' Faith Healers.
- Tim Mohr
