My Body, the Hand Grenade

Hole

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 1997)
• Original Release Date: December 10, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Efa Imports
• ASIN: B000003SWL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #53,391 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
1997 anthology of rare & unreleased recordings from 1990- 1995. 14 tracks, including live versions of 'Drown Soda' & 'Asking For It', a previously unreleased cover of Donovan's 'Season Of The Witch' from MTV's Unplugged, a previously unreleased demo of 'Miss World' and more! A City Slang release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Hole Album, August 17, 2004

By	M. Herron - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album spans their entire career. It's excellent.

1. Turpentine- 5/5... Perfect way to start the album. Courtney's screaming is placed right where it should be. Very strong guitar riffs. Excellent drumming.
2. Phonebill Song- 4/5... It's a good song to get you even more hyped than Turpentine did. It has great energy and it sounds almost live.
3. Retard Girl- 5/5... One of my favorite Hole songs. Great bass introduction to the song followed by a great guitar riff and strong drumming. Courtney's screeches are perfect in this song.
4. Burn Black- 5/5... Such an energy in this song. You can almost taste the anger Hole is feeding you. The lyrics are hateful, and mocking. Great chorus and bridge. This song makes it worth buying the whole album.
5. Dicknail- 4/5... Such a strong song here. The lyrics tell a story and Courtney's voice makes it even more enjoyable.
6. Beautiful Son- 5/5... A song about Kurt and how he wore Courtney's dresses. Very sweet. The song is almost as beautiful as Kurt himself. ;)
7. 20 Years In The Dakota... 5/5 Courtney managed to put in her signiture wail and make it even enjoyable to Avril fans. This is a great ode to Yoko Ono. Very mocking beat. Just... excellent. You can really feel the energy. It makes you want to sing along.
8. Miss World- 4/5 This is an orginal version of the song and it's just pure joy. Far better than the version on Live Through this too.
9. Old Age- 5/5 Has to be one of the best songs on the album. Just so beautiful, and sad. You feel like Courtney is telling your story. The lyrics tell a sad story, and although Courtney doesn't scream, this is a classic Hole song.
10. Softer, Softest- 4/5 This is a live version of the song availible off of Live Through This.
11. he Hit Me (it felt like a kiss)- 5/5... EXCELLENT cover song. Sad, twisted lyrics. Just... so enjoyable.
12. Season Of The Witch- 5/5 Great bass in this song. Another perfect cover song. Hole makes you forget that it's a cover song when they play them.
13. Drown Soda- 4/5 This is a really long song. (Not as long as Death Sex though) Really good slow song that eventually gets angry.
14. Asking For It- 5/5 A great live version of Asking For It. Courtney changes the lyrics a little and just makes it... so fun.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Explosion of Swirling Guitars & Babydoll Dresses, December 13, 1998

By A Customer

Hole are by far the greatest band in the world. Someday when I, a dazzeling female musician, am recognized to be the most amazing rocker grrrl on the planet... I will say "Hole is the band that gave me the voice and vision to work my a** off to get here!" For fans who don't wish to take Hole's pop-punk 101, by tracking down/listening to all the rarities, singles, and Pretty On the Inside, you can take the easy slacker way out, and just buy My Body the Hand Grenade, first. It's kinda like the X-Files movie... for people who've watched the show all five season up to the flick, it's a celebration, but for newer, less adventurous mainstream fans, it's simply a crash course done quickly, which you may or may not like/appreciate. I love Hand Grenade, which has the best version of Burn Black around! This compliation was masterminded by Eric and Courtney (mostly Eric, I'm sure)... and it contains brilliant photos showcasing all the many versions of the band, from Caroline and Jill all the way up to magnificent goddess Melissa and pretty-pouter Patty. I recommend this album to all and everyone, and if you like/love it, do yourself a favor and pick up Ask For It, while you're at it! Grrrls kick a** and Hole are the best of the best!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Her Or Hate Her, You Have To Respect Her, July 11, 2003

By	Kellie (Toledo, Wa United States) - See all my reviews

This is a strange album. A compilation of b-sides and rarities that your parents would call "ear-splitting electronic garbage."
This album is sheer genius. Sure, it is earsplitting and those not used to the noise might get a headache, but this is Courtney Love at her finest. This is a completely solid album, a wonderful anthology. There are no weak spots, there are no mistakes, there are no fillers. Let me explain.

1. Turpentine: Very, very early Hole and arguably the best. This song drips of malice and filth and sleaze. The guitars are very interesting, also.

2. Phonebill song: The loudest song on the record. Another early one, and very punk. There is nothing paticularly special about this song, but it's interesting to compare it to some of Hole's late stuff and see how they've grown.

3. Retard Girl: Hands down the best song on the album. It just SPEWS venom and cruelty. "God I hate that retard girl. . . HIT HER!" There are no facades with the song. Nor are there any apologies.

4. Burn Black: A very interesting song. The guitars will pierce your eardrums, but the song is a very important one. It has a strange neo-feminism that really isn't heard anywhere else.

5. Dicknail: This is one sick song. The lyrics are twisted and so are the guitars, but this album wouldn't be complete without it.

6. Beautiful Son: A slightly disturbing song. The music is bland and the lyrics are rather frightening. Not a personal favorite.

7. 20 Years In The Dakota: This song will blow your mind. It's sweet and demented at the same time. The tune is soothing, but the lyrics won't let you drift off.

8. Miss World: A demo version. It's quite different from the studio version. There's no, "I made my bed, I'll die in it" type-stuff and it's mellower.

9. Old Age: A gem. This one is achingly wistful and full of lament. This song is relaxing and I think Courtney was letting us have a glimpse into her life.

10. Softer, Softest: From MTV's unplugged. The lyrics are different, and in my opinion, a lot better.

11. He Hit Me, It Felt Like A Kiss: Also from MTV's unplugged. Very nice, good vocal work.

12. Season of the Witch: Also from MTV's unplugged. Catchy bass line. Creepy lyrics.

13. Drown Soda: Blistering. You'll be amazed by Courtney's scream when she gets to, "Watch me while I drown." It completely blew me away.

14. Asking For It: Another MTV performance. Nothing really special, but the band changes the song around. An interesting listen.

In conclusion, anyone who listens to music that doesn't suck, should have this in their collection. Forget Avril Lavigne. Let Courtney show you the way.