Customer Reviews

Nemesisters

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

 

 

Babes in Toyland have always been an angry high-energy riot grrl punk band, utilizing thier duelly raw guitar sounds, Lori Barbero's powerful druming and Bjelland's forceful "don't screw with me!" voice. For their last album, these grrls dropped the anger down a notch and directed it into a new sound. Tracks like "Hello" and "Killer on the Road" have a grungier sound to them, while "Oh Yeah" reminds me of the Fontanelle days. What clearly appears to be the strongest element on this album, is the more soft-spoken near-harmonic level of Kat Bjelland's singing. The anger and energy is still present in "Sweet '69" but "Surd" and "Ariel" sound like lullabies in comparison. Nemesisters is one of those albums that reveals a group's ability to have a different sound and still rock.

For those of you who know the song "All By Myself," from Eric Carmen, you can just skip this. For those of you who don't, the song "All By Myself," which is featured on this (excellent) album is a cover of a song which was recorded a long time ago by a weenie. Yes, I know, that's harsh, but whether you liked it or not, Eric Carmen was a weenie. The original is the epitome of whining alone-ness, but it's definitely too sissy to be angsty.

Then there was Babes In Toyland's version, which is not, as some reviewers would have you believe, a poor recording or a lack of effort on the part of the band. The song needs to have the crap kicked out of it in order to both express the actual emotions of the song (whining angst, not loneliness) and to be terribly ironic. I'm not saying that Babes In Toyland are the next Beethoven, but this treatment of the song is deeply ironic. So when it all goes to pot at the end, it's intentional. Completely. And if you can't grasp that concept, just think of it as feedback at the end of a song.

The rest of the album has been appropriately reviewed elsewhere, but you should buy this album, if only for the various covers. That is, unless you liked Eric Carmen, in which case, you should really consider what you're doing.

This album is work of pure brillance and individuality. Sweet 69 is fun and funny, Surd has the longest and most powerful scream I have ever heard come from a woman, 22 just makes me want to dance, Ariel is powerful and intimidating, and the rest of the album is just as awesome. I'm not usually into screaming in music but when it comes from Kat it is different than when it comes from one of those bands you hear on Headbanger's Ball. Kat impowers me and makes me want to scream out "I am woman!"

Babes in Toyland is unique, and Kat's voice is one powerful growl that is damn right pretty. The lyrics are fitting, and Kat always sounds like she knows exactly what she's talking about.

Most songs are vicious and stellar, but there are some duds. This doesn't make the whole CD blow though. Overall, it's a great collection not to be passed up.

this album is the babes heavy metal album, it rocks! oh yeah is amazing, sweet '69 is a complex joke, SFW is angry punk and we are family is a crowning glory.the album is different to the rest of their material, but isn't that a good thing that a band can change their sound a bit and still rock. i mean, Hole released c.skin which didn't rock, so its not true to every band, but the babes keep it fresh by changing their sound. the album is the best, and everyone should buy it now!

Bad and unoriginal, with very few exceptions. I liked it better when I first bought it back in '95. I took out this CD for a listen a few days back after leaving it for dust for so long and regretted my action. The drumming is sloppy and so are the guitars and all else. Sorry babes...

What's up that girls voice? The ONLY normal song in this whole CD is the first one, "Hello". Geez!