#11 L7: Smell the Magic
I never attended Lilith Fair. Perhaps it has to do with me being male, or perhaps its because they just didn't have the kinda music I wanted. Oh sure, they had some OK acts performing there. Sarah McLachlan is pretty good, so is Fiona Apple, I even like some Tracy Chapman now and then. But the one style they failed to display could easily been added with any number of all female hard rock/grunge or even metal bands. Why are these bands so frequently forgotten? Babes in Toyland would've been great, Kitty would scare the hell out of the average Lilith Fair attendee, but would've brought in quite a crowd. Or they could've gone for something that mixed Grunge and Punk in a fantastic heavy crunch. I'm talking about L7. I was fortunate enough to see L7 in 2000 before they broke up for good. At tiny little Fletcher's in Fells Point (Baltimore) L7 tore through about 12 songs in 40 minutes that left the crowd exhausted and completely deaf. I haven't seen a band, before or since that was as heavy live. Today's album "Smell the Magic" shows the raw power and aggression that Lilith Fair was very much lacking. Peace, Love, Metal!
The Vinyl version of this album is an EP, the CD version gets you a few extra songs that I can't really speak to. Side one starts with a distorted bass riff that could wake the dead. When the rest of the band kicks in on "Shove" you can't help but bob your head and maybe start smashing into the walls in your house. Seriously, listen at your own risk, I almost ran into our fish tank and scared the hell out of the dog. From there the beat stays lively and tears right into "Fast and Frightening," which could serve as an overall title for the album. Also, listen to the lyrics, you will hear some pretty hilarious stuff that based on the reputation of the band, is probably autobiographical. "(Right On) Thru", sung by Jennifer Finch is also anchored by her bass line that is rather simple, but very effective in holding together the chaos. Ok, now take a break, stop your nosebleed and flip the record for side two.
Side two doesn't let up on the intensity and starts with the droning Deathwish. This song is very Queens of the Stone Age, as Josh Homme says, a solid riff pounded into your head over and over. The song also features some great harmony during the chorus and some of the better singing as far as L7 goes. "Til the Wheels Fall Off" starts with guitars and stick with 'em. This song uses a little more riffing than most L7 songs, but also features the standard punishing power chords. The lyrics, well...whatever, that's not the point on this song so just keep jumping around and stop paying attention too much. The EP concludes with "Broomstick" which starts very hauntingly with bass and feedback before getting back into the guitars drop D tuned crunch you've gotten used to on the rest of the album. Some great dueling guitars push this song a little higher than the others as far as musicianship and really utilize the good old grunge formula of feedback as part of the song. A little bit slower than the other tracks its serves as a good conclusion to a great and HEAVY album.
Strongest Song: Shove
Weakest Song: maybe Deathwish, but not really.
Song You Know: most likely none of them...maybe "Shove"
Why You Might Hate It: Too much noise and screaming
Buy
It? I'd say the CD might be worth it..the vinyl is scarce, not really expensive, but scarce, and the CD gets you three more songs.
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