L7 ~ Smell The Magic (album review) ... Cast the spell!

Style: grunge, alt rock, punk
Label: Sub Pop
Year: 1990
Home: Los Angeles, California

Members: Donita Sparks, Suzi Gardner ~ guitar/vocals
Jennifer Finch ~ bass/vocals
Demetra Plakas ~ drums

Guest: Mike Patton ~ vocals

 

In some ways I'm reminded of the Helldorado, or screaming era, of W.A.S.P. listening to this. Though, I think that has more to the high pitched screaming, nasty lyrics (i.e. "Straight girls wish they were dykes ... got so much clit she don't need no balls" from "Fast & Frightening") if not violent (i.e. "Packin' A Rod") & fuzztone guitars (i.e. "Fast & Frightening") & surprisingly distinct melody lines over what is clearly raw punk rhythms. The similarities also extend to the leather-clad look & feel of the band & the fact they share L.A. as a home, though this is where the differences start. While W.A.S.P. is firmly L.A. metal, with a few albums going into more experimental ends of the genre, L7 is much more garage band-esque as has come to be associated with the grunge movement because of their raw energy & personal lyrics. W.A.S.P. is far more pretentious & flashy. While L7 might just flash. It doesn't help that Smell The Magic was released through one of Seattle's top & now legendary labels, Sub Pop, who are not just famous for being a leader of Seattle music but also discovering Nirvana, releasing their debut Bleach. As for being associated with grunge I've always had difficulty in figuring out what exactly is the grunge sound or if there is even a Seattle sound. Just compare grunge leaders Pearl Jam & Nirvana. Outside of sharing charismatic singers, these bands sound nothing alike. One only has to forget about grunge & look at Seattle music in general - which includes Heart, Soundgarden, Screaming Trees & Mud Honey - to wonder if there's really a Seattle sound. Maybe it's not in the sound, maybe it's in the coffee intake. We (I used to live there & grew up north of there) drink a lot of coffee! So, to acquaint L7 with grunge may or may not be helpful. It might be better to call L7 not the carriers of the grunge flag but picking up where the Runaways left off, which everyone now knows because of the movie, that featured overly-sexed Lita Ford, Joan Jett & Cherrie Currie who strutted around stage in her underwear & were the original riot grrrls in many ways. This is much more akin to the riot grrrl movement, also associated with Seattle. The lyrics aren't fancy but are very personal with a lot of 'girl power' & social criticism of relationships (i.e. "Don't want to drown in American society" from the song "American Society"). The problem with this album is that supposedly the lead vocal duties are rotated around. But, I didn't know this until I was looking at the album notes. On the other hand there's probably not a bad track on the album. And, guys, if you can't take the girl power ... don't tell your girlfriend.

Mr Bungle ~ Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny (EP) (album review) ... Raging war against the holidays!

Style: death metal, experimental metal, speed metal
Label: self-released
Year: 1986
Home: California

Members: Mike Patton ~ vocals/bongos/whistles/bass
Trevor Dunn ~ bass/kazoo/b. vocals/guitar
Trey Spruance ~ guitar/b. vocals
Jed Watts ~ drums/harmonica/b. vocals
Theo Lengyel ~ sax
Martin Fosnaugh ~ jew's harp

 

This is first of four self-produced demo albums Mr. Bungle put out before finally being picked up by a major label in 1991. This quasi-obscurity shows the strong death & speed metal roots of this under-appreciated band. Though, hints of unconventionality already seep through, something the band would become famous for & develop further in later years, through interesting arrangements, instrumentation & vocal variation. 'Hypocrites' has a hard-core ska bridge with chorus vocals, while opener 'Grizzly Adams' is an odd 2 guitar instrumental that sounds like the soundtrack to a B budget horror movie & 'Evil Satan' is an almost laughable poseur's funk metal ode to Satan. It's always interesting to see a band in their primary stages. This album, the title famously reflective of when it was recorded, also features shouting vocals of Mike Patton who later fronted Faith No More. His work with FNM is much better. The highlight of this album for me is really the song titles: 'Anarchy Up Your Ass' & 'Spreading The Thighs Of Death'. Poetry! Pure Bungled poetry!

Faith No More ~ This Is It: The Best Of... (hits comp) (album review) ... Under-rated mini-masterpieces!

Style: funk metal, hard rock, greatest hits
Label: Rhino
Year: 2003
Home: San Francisco

Members: Mike Patton, Chuck Mosley ~ lead vocals
Billy Gould ~ bass
Roddy Bottum ~ keyboard
Mike Bordin ~ drums/percussion
Trey Spruance, Jim Martin, Jon Hudson ~ guitar

(Guest Review by Eduardo Morillo)

I had only heard of this band from friend’s suggestions & word of mouth but had never really paid close attention until recently. My personal tastes are more towards jazz, blues & heavy metal but I always appreciate anything obscure & eclectic as long as it is good. So I gave Faith No More a try & right away one of the songs that really stood out to me was their cover of Black Sabbath’s 'War Pigs'. At first I was very skeptical because Ozzy’s voice is nearly impossible to emulate & also because 'War Pigs' was one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar, but I have to say I was damn well impressed. What really turned my interest towards FNM was the fact that not all their songs sound the same. The various styles they put into their music (i.e the mellow & easy acoustic feel of 'Easy' or the groovy yet heavy as hell sound of 'Epic') & Mike Patton’s vocals are very unique & immediately makes him one of the most versatile singers I have ever heard. After researching a little more about the band, I realized that FNM was just the tip of the iceberg. Mike Patton has been in at least 100 bands throughout his career, ranging from kids shows such as Pokemon & Digimon to a jazz band, black metal band, movie soundtracks & the list goes on. He has also lent his voice & other talents to video games, theme songs, game shows, that clearly shows the guy has been a little busy. I’m not really into best of compilations, especially when it comes to giving a new band a try, because I feel that only the so-called hits are included & the listener may miss out on some of a group’s best work. But, I have to say that this really captures the band’s greatest songs & even includes a few hidden gems not previously released. Overall, this is a must for everyone, whatever your musical interests. If you’re not a fan of FNM once you hear the album you will be hooked instantly. Mike Patton is one of the most creative & versatile multi-instrumentalists I have ever heard … & I’ve heard many. My only gripe with FNM is that they have at least 5 best of compilations … why? There’s no need for that many, however this is now by far one of my favorite best of CDs in my collection.

Guest writer Eduardo Morillo, ex-Lethal Dose, is a hard rock/metal guitarist & saxophone player in NYC & is a die-hard Megadeth & Kiss fan.

(originally written for the Roman Midnight Music newsletter Issue 3, Feb 2010, unedited for blog)