I randomly downloaded this EP, and was pleasantly surprised. Honestly, I think anyone that digs anything the Kinsella boys have done would be down with this, and should def listen to it. Not to be that cut and dry, but there you go. Okay okay…fine. For fans of American Football, Cap’n Jazz, Braid, Aloha, Look Mexico, blah blah blah…are you fucking happy now?
I hate this band! I fucking despise them. And this album is why. Most people who have ever heard of Chevelle have never heard this album I bet. Because, well, this is when the band was GOOD and wasn’t "radio rock". This was actually released on the now defunct christian record label Squint Entertainment. This album pretty much sounds like a band of young kids who listen to too much Helmet. Their singer kinda reminds me of the singer of Tool from time to time. But not enough to dissuade you from listening. Recorded by Steve Albini, the album has the sound you’d expect from his expertise. And it works really well for the youths of Chevelle. If you listen to Chevelle and haven’t heard “Point #1” , go fucking kill yourself right now. You’re a waste. That also goes for anyone who listens to them whose favorite album is another of their releases. If you have never heard the band before, this is definitely where you should begin, and end.
This band is a super group for anyone into instrumental math rock. Its headed by Mike Banfield, one of the founding members of Don Caballero. You should be interested right off the bat with that little tidbit. Considering he sort of disappeared from music after the release of “What Burns Never Returns.” Their drummer and guitarist come from the band Tabula Rasa and their bassist is from the band Southpaw. All from Pittsburgh. What can be expected of their sound? To me, its reminiscent of a less “Che’d” Don Cab. “For Respect” era plus the good, actual cohesive, musical ideas from “What Burns Never Returns.” But who cares what I think, listen to them for yourself.
One of the greatest song writers to live in my life time. One of the most amazing debut albums I can think of. One album you definitely need to hear at least once before you die.
This Mass band destroys my life. Weird mathy metal with girl singer. Screamer would be the better term. I love her voice actually. This probably will be a surprising pick to people who know me. Oh well. I have no clue who they sound like, but definitely listen to them if you like mathy screamy metal-ish stuff.
Today's installment to my part of the Listen to this Once blogosphere is the 1997 album "Dig Me Out" by the foremothers of the riotgrrrl movement Sleater-Kinney. Sleater-Kinney like most bands started rather inconspicuously when then couple guitarist Carrie Brownstein and guitarist/lead vocalist Corin Tucker took a post graduation trip to Australia. Toward the end of their trip they took to writing and recording what would eventually shape up to be their debut album. Upon returning Corin and Carrie began to play out their compositions with various musicians before solidifying their permanent lineup with drummer Janet Weiss.
Dig Me Out retains the urgency and emotion of SK's earlier discography while sounding much cleaner and more musically proficient thus hinting to what was to come from this beloved indie rock band. Corin Tuckers unique voice howls about everything from relationships, anti-traditionalism, and abolishing gender roles. The vocals although cringe worthy to some remain one of the most passionate cries to ever be heard from the underground.
Sleater-Kinney would continue to release universally acclaimed records well into the new decade and are often heralded as one of the defining and most successful indie rock bands of the 90's/early-mid 2000s. Unfortunately for us, Corin Tucker would eventually concentrate most of her efforts towards motherhood leading the band into an indefinate hiatus in 2006. Regardless their influence remains and continues to be heard today by the likes of Mika Miko, Screaming Females, and many others. Dig Me Out is the perfect introduction to the S.K. discography and incredibly worthy of gracing your ears at least once. "We just want to say that we're not here to fuck the band. We are the band."
-Daniel Marc Cafferty
Personal album highlights: - Dig Me Out - The Drama You've Been Craving - Dance Song 97 Dig Me Out - if you enjoy the album please support the band and your favorite independent record store by purchasing a copy.
