lambchops's Full Review: One Beat by Sleater-Kinney
Just the other day, I was wandering around Best Buy when I stumbled upon One Beat from Sleater-Kinney. I’d heard that they were a good band and to expect a good album from the Olympia, Washington based trio. So, in a rush I snatched up the recently released disc.
What I discovered upon slipping the disc into my stereo was something very different and very creative. One Beat is most certainly a disc that stands out among the many others populating my collection. Sleater-Kinney, based only on my experience with this album, is a passionate rock/punk band and a key player in the Riot Grrrl feminist punk movement of the early and mid 1990’s. Consisting of Carrie Brownstein on guitar and vocals, Corin Tucker also on guitar and vocals, and Janet Weiss on percussion and the occasional backing vocal, Sleater-Kinney has managed to outlast many of their musical contemporaries.
Why? Well, first off their sound is intricate and intelligent yet incendiary and luminous. Their appeal extends beyond that of just an underground punk band. The dual vocals of Brownstein and Tucker are melodically layered and utterly inspired without being too crazy. This freedom is provided in part because of their indie label Kill Rock (with which Sleater-Kinney has released their most recent four albums). Kill Rock not only supports this act…they’ve got ties to fellow Riot Grrrl bands Bratmobile and Bikini Kill among many others.
Even if One Beat was vacant of meaning and content, the music would be great. I find myself drawn to the vocals and the simple-yet-complex instrumentation. The twelve tracks are all rather decent. Not a single one is too harsh nor are the songs too relaxed. The guitars crunch viciously around, behind, and directly through the fervent vocals. Sleater-Kinney manages to sound like a raw, untainted act the fact that this is their sixth full length album.
Without sounding like a mainstream freak, it’s easiest to compare Corin Tucker’s vocals to No Doubt’s focal point Gwen Stefani. She warbles, shouts, and hiccups energetically and strangely. And, in this case, I do indeed enjoy strange. I am aware of the fact that critics routinely praise Sleater-Kinney. Since I have no previous experience with the trio of independent, rockin’ women I can only say that based on One Beat, this acclaim is definitely earned. I’m going to throw in my two cents and say that Sleater-Kinney is one of the most important independent acts still recording in music today.
At twelve songs in length, One Beat never becomes stale or dry. From introductory thumping drum beats of the title track to the southern rock guitar of Sympathy, this is an important album to say the very least. One that should appeal to fans of rock, indie rock, and punk all at the same time. For me, it’s an awakening of sorts…I will without hesitation explore the earlier recordings from Sleater-Kinney.
If forced to choose favorites, Sympathy might just qualify. It’s a diverse song that extends beyond all boundaries. It’s needy, pushy, melodic, layered, and exceedingly simple. Yet, I find that the stark vocals and at times just cowbell and guitar are more than enough to get the job done. It is an absolutely beautiful track.
I know I come to you only when in need
I'm not the best believer, not the most deserving
Also particularly notable are Oh! with a surf guitar and melodies akin to a darker Bangles. Yup, you heard me right. Whether or not that was the intention, I can’t help but love the excitable third track. I’ve also fallen deeply in love with Step Aside and it’s a fuzzy bass and strange yet solid horns.
One Beat comes to a head with Combat Rock. It’s a pointed track sung is a manner meant to be coy and cutesy. The organ, accompanying guitar, and hiccupped vocals are fabulous and shining examples of why the world should love Sleater-Kinney. The fact that they remain almost totally ignored by the public is both a burden and blessing. If everybody knew about them would discovering them be such a gift? I think not. Anyway, Combat Rock is a criticism of right-winged advocates and our military-based country. Quite a brave stance from the band:
Where is the questioning, where is the protest song?
Since when is skepticism un-American?
Also notable is the song Prisstina speaking candidly about female heroism. It features uncharacteristic male backing vocals from Stephen Trask (of Hedwig and the Angry Inch songwriting fame). The whirling organs and genuinely unique vocals are both highlights to say the least.
Suffice it to say that One Beat is intriguing and borders on musical perfection. Without the benefit of other albums from Sleater-Kinney to compare it to, I can only speak from musical experience with other rather dissimilar bands when I say that it is a most important album. One that will from the moment I purchased it have an central place in my heart and one that has opened me to a new world of music. I am proud to say that I enjoy this album and will from this moment on recommend it to all those willing to listen. I recommend One Beat to people who already know and love Sleater-Kinney, individuals willing to try to rock/indie rock bands, and individuals who need to desperately shed their MTV skin. 5/5 stars.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. One Beat
02. Far Away
03. Oh!
04. The Remainder
05. Light Rail Coyote
06. Step Aside
07. Combat Rock
08. Oxygen
09. Prisstina
10. Funeral Song
11. Hollywood Ending
12. Sympathy
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