Rough Edge: Hole CD Reviews

HOLE

"Live Through This" (DGC; 1994)

One might wonder if Hole would have been as noticeable if the lead were not played by Courtney Love who, of course, was married to Kurt Cobain. This disc was released four days after Cobain was found dead so the title might have been for Courtney to think about after everything had happened. "Live Through This" was musically more mainstream than "Pretty On The Inside" because it was geared toward radio and not just the garage.

All of the songs were in the same vein of alternative rock and pop-punk and not so much grunge rock. At the time there were no female grunge singers so Hole decided to turn their musical style towards one that would help them keep their fans and possibly pick up some new ones. The album's title is derived from a monologue by Vivien Leigh in "Gone with the Wind."

Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins also had a hand in the sound of "Live Through This." If you listen to "Siamese Dream" and this disc you can hear some similarities which are a good thing because Hole was looking to expand their sound. Although many people think that Kurt Cobain wrote many of the songs on "Live Through This," it has been said by Courtney Love that this album would have been much better if he did. Most of the songs are about girl empowerment and it also helped to spark the feminist movement through music.

Download these: "Violet," "Plump," "Doll Parts," and "Gutless."

Hole: Courtney Love - vocals, rhythm guitar; Eric Erlandson - lead guitar; Kristen Pfaff - bass guitar, piano, backing vocals; Patty Schemel - drums; Dana Kletter — additional vocals; Kurt Cobain - backing vocals on "Asking For It" and "Softer, Softest" (uncredited).

For more information, check out http://www.holerock.net/.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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