Sleater-Kinney – No Cities to Love
Reviewed By: KURE Music Committee
Rating: 8/10
In many ways this album seems to not even acknowledge the praise, and they continue to do music their own way. This album is filled with angular, catchy guitar hooks that if done with any less intensity and distortion would feel downright poppy. This leads to a very accessible album in comparison with some of their other work. Where you used to hear distorted, screechy vocals you hear a more toned down voice, singing more often than yelling. Where there was loads of fuzz and distortion there is now a cleaner, driving guitar tone. What used to be calls to action now seems more focused on documenting the human struggle and their strain for something more. This album is a wonderful introduction to Sleater-Kinney’s sound if you haven’t listened to them before. It’s also a pleasant reminder of what you loved about the band for those who have been with them since they began almost 20 years ago. Things haven’t changed for them stylistically, they’re still a left-leaning punk band, looking at the issues we face in this world like poverty (Price Tag) or fighting those in power (Fangless) and doing it with an intensity and beauty that many bands couldn’t hope to achieve.Sleater-Kinney is punk rock group from Washington that
played a pivotal role in the riot grrl and alternative rock scene that sprung out of the area during the ’90’s. They’re signed to Sub-Pop Records, known for rock bands as big as Nirvana and Soundgarden, as well as electric and rap groups like clipping and Washed Out. Sub-Pop focuses on bands in the Northwest, and Sleater-Kinney knows that sound well. This is Sleater-Kinney’s first album since 2005, when they released “The Wood’s” which was critically acclaimed and received many year-end honors.
FCC: Clean
Favorite Tracks: 1, 4, 7
RIYL: Wild Flag, Bikini Kill, Wire, White Lung, Perfect Pussy
