Girls rock. Amirite?
YES. I. AM.. And no girls rock more then these (and I quote) "four rocking bitches" from the streets of Los Angeles. L7 friends and neighbors, are a rock n roll fans wet dream come true. Four chicks so badass that a member once pulled a tampon from her wonder parts onstage, swung it around her head like a little lasso, and hurled it into the audience like it was candy. If
that doesn't say rock n freakin' roll boys and girls, nothing does.
Bricks Are Heavy is the fourth release by this band of scruffy babes, coming just a few years after the self titled debut, Wax The Tadpole, and the magnificently titled Smell The Magic, lmao. And it may very well be one of the better Alt rock/hard rock/buzz rock/ punk rock/post punk/pre grunge/post grunge/ nu metal titles of the early to mid nineties. I really don't know what the hell to label it, as there are more genres flying around sputnik then STD's in a Las Vegas whorehouse. But whatever it is it's loud, hard, tough and fast. Just like these girls like it.
"Wargasm wargasm/123". YEAH! Nice start. Album kicks off great with an anti-war rant suitable for the trashy streets of Hollywood where these chicks sprang from. "Wave those flags high in the air /As Long as it takes place over there" they rant while playing at breakneck speed, all fuzz tone guitars, big drums, and thundering bass. Wargasm is enough to give me an orgasm, lol! It's just that good. "Scrap" comes blaring out of the speakers next and it's a helluva tune that chugs along with a thick sludgy sound and loudspeaker vocal. Scrap is a story about some street dood who sniffs too much glue then finds religion and figures they are about the same thing so decides to do both. Good tune, basic beat, big drums, smoldering guitar work, and the sound of someone inhaling from a paper bag. It's all good in the world of dirty L.A. Then we get the pop-metal tune "Pretend We're Dead". This is perhaps L7's best known song. Featured on many a soundtrack, it's a groovy little number about borebom, being bored, and the uselessness of apathy and conformity. But people seem to think it's about being dead or something'? Used in a lot of horror films is most likely the reason why. It's a cool little pop ditty.
From here on things don't change much. And that's cool because they don't have to. Heavy, crunchy, loud, fuzzed out guitar, big bass and drums, and brash lyrics is what this LP is all about. And rather then it sound monotonous are boring, it simply sounds consistent and uniform. 'Ya know, like a freakin' album should. Good deal.
"Diet Pill" comes trudging along next. This is a chick tune, but any dood can get into it, too. This gal has kids, a messed up boyfriend, she's burning her food, and her goddamn diet pill is wearing off! Not a good combo. Next song is a great ode to being in the pit at a gig. Don't mess with these girls! "Everglade" is a stern warning to a guy who is "drunk stoopid and weighs a ton"who is "whipping through the pit" like a two ton hammer. Finally the guy "tripped on his own feet and hit the floor / We tried to push him/Then rolled him out the door!" YEAH! Like I said. You can't mess with these broads. They kick arse. Musical and otherwise.
"Slide" is next. It's a take a hike song to a guy who has been "a thorn in my side" She put's the guy's stuff out on the porch and kicks him out. Good deal because from the sound of it, he's a loser. What a bum. This is one of the lesser tunes on the album though, as it sounds a bit tossed together and hurried. Like they were just trying to get it over with. And after the somewhat average sludge fest "One More Thing" we are ready for the hot sauce once again. "Mr. Integrity" takes a swipe at holier then thou loud mouths who can't shut up. And they have earned the wrath of this band. "Don't preach to me/Mr. Integrity/I'm not the enemy". You tell 'em, babe. This song moves along at a fast and furious pace and you can hear the scorn drip from it. Has some nice bongos on it, too. And I don't mean these girls boobies! Perverts.
Album closes with the deep rockin' groove of "Monster". This is a swingin' little number about all the bad things that bring out the monster in our loveable L7 girls. Again, thick riffs and big drums and bass are the order of the day here, and it's served up on a big 'ol steaming platter of dirty guitars and tough vocals. And saving one of the best for nearly last, the now near classic "Shi.tlist" comes out for a trip around the block. "When I get mad/And I get pissed/ I grab my pen and I write out a list/Of all the as.sholes that won't be missed/You've made my shi.tlist". 'Nuff said. This track kills.
So yeah, these girls have more balls then most guy bands trying to do the same, putting L.A. hard rock /glam/ pop trash poser bands to direct and instant shame. Check this album out. You won't be disappointed. A great blend of hard rock/ punk/metal/pop/garage rock/ and just a bit of dark glam. It's enough to make me want to join the National Organization for Women. Or somethin'.
