Day 0845 - Dig Me Out

Sleater-Kinney "Dig Me Out" (1997)

Though I was aware of the name Sleater-Kinney, they really came on my radar via singer/guitarist Carrie Brownstein's show "Portlandia" with fellow punk-turned-comedian Fred Armisen.

Sleater-Kinney (named for a road in Lacey Washington) formed in the mid-90s and quickly went from a side project for Brownstein and other singer-guitarist (no bass in the band) Corin Tucker to being their main gig.

The band were recognised as being part of the 'riot grrrl' movement, the underground feminist rock movement of the 90s.   The music is mostly raucous punky rock with attitude-laden vocals and duelling guitar parts over propulsive drums.

Short n sweet album, my only real criticism would be that there's not a lot of variety.  Even ballady track "Buy her candy" has a little rock attitude to it.  Leaves me wishing that they'd maybe turn off the distortion pedal for even just one song.

 

Day 0661 - Rhythm Nation 1814

Janet Jackson "Rhythm Nation 1814" (1989)

JJ had had success with her third album "Control".   Predictably, her record label suggested producing a follow-up that reproduced that album as closely as possible.   Janet, instead opted to craft an album with a sense of social consciousness.   She commented on various issues she'd encountered either herself or in the news, issues such as school shootings, and racial dis/harmony. 

While working on the album, Janet had commented to her producers that it would be great if they could just create their own peaceful nation of music... leading to the album title and title track.

The music mines similar territory to her brother's 1980s output, the funk and RnB mixed with a touch of rock (particularly the track "Black Cat").  There's more of a focus on danceable beats on memorable singles like "Miss You Much" and "Rhythm Nation".   The Jackson family could do no wrong (musically) around this time.