Customer Reviews

Slap Happy

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before I begin my review, let me explain the rather cryptic title . After three years of no word whatsoever from L7 and two more years of "indefinite hiatus", L7 co-founder Donita Sparks announced this year that L7 has broken up and that she and drummer Dee Plakas have formed a new band. This news casts my review of SLAP HAPPY in a rather sad light, seeing as it was the group's final album.
After being dropped from Slash Records, the band formed their own label, Wax Tadpole Records. The time forming the label occupied the time that the band would spend writing,and the gals wanted a record out in 1999 so, rather than taking a year to write and record a new album, L7 selected songs that were discarded from their other albums, which explains why SLAP HAPPY has a rather static and sometimes tired feel to it.
Most of the songs are average or inferior filler, with an occasionally interesting experimental touch (the lovely three-part harmony in the middle of "Crackpot Baby' being the best example). The searing, beautiful "Freezer Burn", from THE BEAUTY PROCESS sessions, is the only track worth the price of admission.
Since the band was on their own dollar, the album was recorded in their rehearsal space using first or second takes, which gives the album a raw, spontaneous feel like their early masterpiece SMELL THE MAGIC but the sound here is completely flat and lacks the crunch that the band was so famous for.
Another unfortunate side to this album is the alarming slide the band has taken lyrically. Instead of the witty, sometimes profound gems from past albums, SLAP HAPPY has lines like "Got some lemons/Make some kickass lemonade". Two other songs, "On My Rockin' Machine" and "Mantra Down", consist of three lines repeated over and over to the point where most listeners will probably be scrambling to hit the skip button on their CD player.
To sum it all up, this is an inferior record from a superior band known for their consistency and commitment to quality. As a longtime fan, I can't help but feel cheated, and I think the reason this CD gets so many positive reviews here is because it won back the fans that were turned off by THE BEAUTY PROCESS.
A year later, L7 were recording their next album when singer/guitarist Suzi Gardner, tired of years of life on the road, decided to leave the band, ending their 15-year run. I think I speak for many of my fellow fans when I say that I wish that Gardner had stayed to finish the album, because it would have been a more fitting end to such an amazing, groundbreaking career.

After seeing L7 in Detriot over Labor Day weekend I knew that this CD would rock. Donita's mesmerizing voice made "Crackbaby" a song that is not easy to forget. They are absolutely awesome live. The only way to describe the show was absolute chaos. I highly recommend ANY L7 CD, and this is a good one to start with or add to the collection.

L7 has always been one of my favorite bands due to the fact that with every album they release I am amazed a little more each time. Slap Happy is one of thier best albums yet. L7 has finally merged the glorious guitar sludge from Hungry for Stink with thoughtful, artful lyrics that we saw in Bricks Are Heavy. Freezer Burn is a standout; one of Donita Sparks' best songs. The usual rock you are used to with these gals is not what you're gonna get - they are rocking harder than ever before. Slap Happy is highly recommened by me, a die - hard L7 fanatic since 1987.

Grinding guitars,cool vocals and lyrics,a CD that sets you up high with it's power,intelligence, funkiness and emotion. These ladies have it all, I've seen them twice,believe me. Get this music, put on some headphones in a dark room and you will understand too.

This album does not live up to there other albums . There are a couple of good songs, but it just does not match there past albums. Especially in the lyrics department. L7 does write some silly songs in there older albums, but most of there songs have a message. A very clear message. This new album isn't like that at all which is very disappointing for me because lyrics are a big reason for me listening to a band. Thats why I don't listen to bands like Limp Bizcut. There lyrics are horrible crap that mean nothing at all. Anywho, good album to pick up if you can find it used.

...if for no other reason than "War With You." Why did everybody seem to not care whether L7 was at war with anyone when this got released. I think this album has their best, goofiest, and most mature stuff to date. Its sad that this band kept getting better and better while people seemed less and less interested.

To possibly depart from traditional L7 advice: get this and Beauty Process, then Bricks are Heavy; the earlier albums are what got me into the band, but their last two discs are what I return to these days, "when I get mad and I get pissed" that is.

L7 took a while to get this out but it was worth the wait. This is as good as Bricks are Heavy and more sophisticated than Smell the Magic. They are writing and playing better than ever. A must for anyone that loves L7 or hard, pounding rock. Gardner is back to writing on a majority of the tunes with Sparks and Dee is still pounding the drums.

Another fantastic effort from L7 - I keep waiting for them to run out of material, and somehow they don't. It's a great blend of hard rock and bashing, crashing metal that effortlessly shifts from slow to medium to fast speed. This CD has a lot of variety on it, and great lyrics, often humorous. L7 has not received the widespread acceptance I believe they deserve, but they certainly don't seem to be giving up - certainly not on this one. If you like "straight up" hard rock/heavy metal where everything is done very well from vocs to drums to rhythms etc., this is for you. A damn fine effort.

In my opinion, Bricks was, and still is, their best! This album is decent, maybe their second best, but doesn't surpass Bricks. "Freeway" is a pretty catchy tune with some cool sounding riffs. This song is the closest to Bricks material they've had in years. The other tunes are ok but really don't stick in your head like "Freeway". For l7 fans, this is a must album. For others, I'd recommend this CD but would say to go buy Bricks after listening to it to hear L7 at it's best!

L7 are in many ways one of the greatest bands to emerge from the late eighties. the growth on each album is outstanding. just when you think they can never out do themselves another masterpiece emerges. SLAP HAPPY is the SGT. PEPPER of their respectable history. the guitars!the harmony...this album is godhead. buy it now.