Customer Reviews

Pussy Whipped [Vinyl]

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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While all of the Bikini Kill CDs are masterpieces, none explore the female psyche so delicately as "Pussywhipped." The first two records were young and snotty and had a message, "The Singles" was tight and effective, and "Reject All American" carried feminism to a more melodic yet still highly emotional place. It is "Pussywhipped" that is the darkest, the rawest, the scariest place in Kathleen Hanna's mind. While it shares all the clever lyrics of the other albums, songs like "Sugar," "Lil Red" and most of all "Star-Bellied Boy" take "Suck My Left One" to a more personal place. This is not to say that "Pussywhipped" is no fun, because it is. Kathleen Hanna is so animated despite her pain that it is difficult not to enjoy Bikini Kill's music even if yr appreciation is based solely on the sound of her voice, and the girl friendship anthem "For Tammy Rae" is so sweet that it almost seems to erase the painful memories dredged up by earlier songs. And while little known, "Starfish" is one of the most eloquently understated anthems of survival ever written. Buy it right now.

First off, as a male reviewer I have to admit that I don't even feel comfortable sharing my opinion. One of the things that makes Bikini Kill such a brilliant band is the fact that they probably wouldn't even trust my opinions (darned right they shouldn't! ). Yes, as a male I can offer praise and encourage people to buy this fine record, but Kathleen Hanna and company would almost certainly dismiss my praise completely or at least highly distrust it. Like other female rockers who followed in Bikini Kill's wake, Hanna sings openly and honestly about the world she lives in. She knows, for instance, that no matter how much critical acclaim she receives from male reviewers, males simply cannot divorce female artistry from female sexuality. Every male (and those who claim otherwise are lying, myself included) may value and truly admire what Bikini Kill is contributing, but at the same time every male is also thinking, "Boy, that Hanna sure is angry, but she's also kinda cute." Hanna is no dupe, though, and not only is she hyperaware of this hypocrasy (as was Liz Phair on her record Exile in Guyville) she actually sings about it and seeks to expose it.

From the outset, then, P-whipped announces that this album is not for the tepid or the weak. Yes, this is hardcore punk, but it's punk like we've never heard before. Whipped challenges its listeners (particularly its male listeners) to handle the screeching vocals, the guttural growls, the raw lyrics. Whipped is the musical equivalent of feminist "ecriture" (I knew my French would come in handy someday). The vocals serve as a good example. Hanna will gurgle and bellow (sounds that are typically UN-feminine); she'll screech at the top of her lungs like an elementary school girl on the playground (a sound that, like nails on a chalkboard, makes males wince in annoyance--which, of course, is the point); she'll sing coyly in mock, sex-doll "I-know-what-you-want-baby" come-ons; and when all else fails, she simply sings as if her life depended upon it.

The songs are also varied and top-notch. Rebel Girl is every bit an anthem as Anarchy in the U.K. Star-Bellied Boy is chilling in its drawing upon the innocence of youth (Star-Bellied, of course, is a reference to Dr. Seuss) to make a statemnt about male victimization of women. Finally, in true punk form, the entire album clocks in at around thirty minutes, ending with the song For Tammy Rae, a song which proves that Bikini Kill can be as tuneful as they wanna be.

Brutal doesn't even begin to describe the impact of Pussy-Whipped. The waves of distortion, screaming, and non-stop feedback never let up until the final song "For Tammy Rae," a slow, subdued, but no less stunning song. This is one of those albums that made punk rock vital again. It's no b.s.: loud, raw, three-chords, angry, and meaningful. The production is much improved from their previous singles, and it creates an assualt on the senses; think Black Flag's Damaged times ten (that's not to say that this sounds like Black Flag). It's a shame Bikini Kill are no more, and I would have loved to have seen them live. But Pussy-Whipped is an excellent document of this great band. Try "Blood One," "Rebel Girl," and "Tell Me So."

This record is not an entry to Bikini Kill for those who find abrasiveness a problem... the bass is distorted, the vocals are raw, gutsy, wonderful, and vulgar. In the best possible way of course. It does have a peculiar angular poppiness to it but it creeps up behind you.
For me it is their finest hour, and one of their earliest. Nothing sends the blood pumping through my veins as much as the sheer volatile energy on this album. And those human screams do cause the flow of genuine adrenalin... I swear it. I jog to this album sometimes, because it makes me run like a maniac. And i'm aware of the perversity of getting fit to bikini kill. ;) but it is proof of the inherent energy here...its worth listening in.

Forget Courtney Love, this is the real RIOT GRRL stuff. With insane, brutal, catty, and poetic lyrics, this is a must own album for any riot grrl or X girl. This is my favorite Bikini Kill CD and Sugar is simply the greatest song in the universe. Its not for everyone, and the message certainly surpasses the music, but you'll be singing/screaming from track 1. Own it.

Ordinarily I don't write a review when there's already over 5 or so reviews. But, I can't help myself here. I made a 60 minute tape of this, the first split album and their other short album along with the Peel 7". I left off about 3 songs altogether. It made for one swingin' tape.

It wasn't till I was playing this CD in my car (keeps peace at home), loud, of course, that I realized this album is one of the few I've heard over 30 years that is just excellent from beginning to end.

Of course, they have their biggest hit single, or, if we had real radio stations, it would have been, 'Rebel Girl', just aching to be enjoyed by the masses but it'll never be. Instead, its up to those of us, like you folks looking them up on amazon.com, who get to track down their music and dig that high quality sound.

Inventors of riot grrl, 90's version (from what I can tell). I heard about 20 other riot grrl bands and none of them had the consistency and overall quality of BIKINI KILL. It's a mix of, as ever with any great band, very strong song writing and, in this case, intense lead vocals and winning lyrics. Carrying on with the noble punk tradition of not having records full of sappy love songs, these 3 ladies and a guy pack the lyrics with a full punch letting us know that feminist issues have not disappeared, without the band actually going out and obtaining a feminist membership card.

If only the YEASTIE GIRLZ had done as many records as BIKINI KILL did. Never heard of 'em? They only did a tape and a 7". Acappela 3 gals from Bay Area around mid 80's. Lovely. Similar lyrics and musically potent too, tho hard to really tell since, as I recall, they didn't use any instruments but their voices. Still, the songs were great.

If you only get one BIKINI KILL record, this is it. Reject All American has about 2 great songs, CD of their first 2 albums is about half brilliant songs. This release here is 100% pure pleasure. You know someone's angry here. chrisbct@hotmail.com

How to begin? This is simply some of the best music you will ever be lucky enough to hear. It took me a few listens to really familiarize myself w/ each gem, but by the 4th time I was in love. Powerful, dynamic, honest, raw, and just oh-so-cool.............loveitloveitloveit

These songs speak directly to women. Strong assertive lyrics from beginning to end. And a bonus: flawless music. This CD has never left my CD player. "...Hear your side of things," as Kathleen suggests in the track, Lil Red.

The song "Star Fish" is the best Bikini Kill song ever! My favorite line is "They want to use my blood, to color their perfume!" The most beautiful words I have ever herd spill out of Kathleen's mouth. You Rock Girl!

Pussy Whipped is an amazing album. For me, it is the best of riot-grrrl. The sonic assault is awesome and evokes hardcore, the tunes catchy as hell and the lyrics sharp and fun (though sometimes a little difficult to hear). Kathleen Hannah's voice can both screech and sing, and it all sounds great. This is real punk, so that not even purists who care a lot about such categories could complain about it. I agree with Bikini Kill's message, but that's whole different thing. This album is cream of the crop on terms of MUSIC. The only fault I can think of is how short it is, but then again, that's the case with a lot of great punk albums...