Customer Reviews

Girls Get Busy [Vinyl]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The only thing better than having Bratmobile back in action is having Bratmobile back in action and more political and creative than ever before! Hearing Bratmobile lash out against the current war-mongering and blind, patriotic flag-waving restored my faith in the scene they helped build but has been sadly inching itself away from politics. But with bands like Bratmobile, Le Tigre, and the Butchies - each stocked with established riot grrl veterans and dedicated activists - out on the road and in the studio, the revolutionary energy seems to be on it's way back in.

So the little sisters of Riot Grrrl have grown up . . . . and gotten boring. Don't get me wrong, they're still witty and political, but Bratmobile have lost their raucous charm. In their first LP Pottymouth, released on Kill Rock Stars in 1993, they couldn't play their instruments very well, but it didn't matter. Erin Smith's sloppy but strong guitars and Allison Wolfe's quirky screaming vocals gave Pottymouth a fun reckless energy characteristic of a punk temper tantrum. As for their latest, Girls Get Busy, Bratmobile have traded messy guitars for production slickness, Allison's snarling vocals for a generic punk lecture tone, and funny lyrics for mature social commentary. Bratmobile is more political in this release, and should be commended for taking a stand against post 9/11 commercialism and blind patriotism in songs like "Shop for America" and "United We Don't," but the switch proves awkward for an aging band still trying to remain relevant post-revolution. I feel bad for wincing upon hearing this album, but I just can't help feeling sorry for a band trying so hard to mature beyond the image and sound of their early days that fans will remember them for. Those of you itching for new Bratmobile, your best bet is to leave this one on the store shelf and go back home to your dusty Pottymouth CD.