Review #189: Dig Me Out, Sleater-Kinney
#189: Dig Me Out, Sleater-Kinney
Now. I know that it’s sort of an injustice to have Sleater-Kinney as the first riot grrrl group on the list, especially since Bikini Kill, the original & most significant riot grrrl group, is nowhere to be seen. But my unpopular opinion? I prefer Sleater-Kinney anyway. I think it’s the fact that Corin Tucker sounds a little bit like a Broadway star who’s gone rogue.
Many people are familiar with Portlandia. Carrie Brownstein is Sleater-Kinney’s guitarist! Some people are somehow quadruple threats.
This is their third album, but it’s their first one with drummer Janet Weiss. Do you recognize that name? You should, because that’s also the name of the lead part in The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Dammit, Janet, I love you! Also notable because Janet Weiss exited the band in 2019.
Sleater-Kinney reunited in 2014 and put out several albums. I remember really enjoying No Cities To Love, their first release since their hiatus. I think a big part of that is that “New Wave,” the lead single, had a music video that featured the kids’ from Bob’s Burgers, which is just delightful. A good animated tie-in, that’s what wins me over.
FAVORITE SONGS:
“Dig Me Out” — I sing this one to myself all the time. DIG ME OOOOOOWT/DIG ME IIYIIYIIN/OUTTA MY BODY/OUTTA MY SKIN.
“One More Hour” — This one is actually about Brownstein and Tucker’s breakup. That’s right, they dated! In fact, they were outed against their wishes in a Spin magazine article. Unfair.
“Turn It On” — Carrie Brownstein comes up with the coolest guitar leads.
“The Drama You’ve Been Craving” — Just a great song title.
“Words and Guitar” — She’s got it!
“It’s Enough” — It’s enough/If you want it that much. This album really appeals to the yearning teen in me.
“Little Babies” — Dum dum dee dee dum dum dee dum do/All the little babies go/Oh oh I want to.
“Not What You Want” — I love guitar intros that make me want to pull a fire alarm.
“Dance Song ‘97” — Oh, these keyboards, oh, I’m in love!
“Jenny” —Riot grrrl is the best genre, I won’t hear any different.
LEAST FAVORITE SONGS:
“Heart Factory” — This one felt the most “garage-band-y” to me. Not that that’s a bad thing. But it did stick out a bit.
“Buy Her Candy” — I don’t know why the guitar part on this one annoys me so much but it does.
IS RS FULL OF IT?
Again, it’s hard to justify Sleater-Kinney’s presence on the list without Bikini Kill. But I’m also not complaining. If you love Haim, listen to Sleater-Kinney.
