2002 found Sleater-Kinney in a difficult position. Would they be able to live up to the hype of being Rolling Stone’s “Most Important Band in Rock and Roll”, and more importantly, after scads of arena shows, would they stay true to their roots in doing so? Pearl Jam tours are a long way from sharing basement stages with Bikini Kill and Team Dresch, so despite enormous critical praise, One Beat left a hole in the heart of many fans. For three years everyone waited to see what Sleater-Kinney would do next. Certainly no one expected these ladies who hit the sheets by 9pm and are decidely un-rockstar, would sign to Sub Pop and come out with, well- a stoner rock album.
Underneath all that fuzz and reverb Sleater-Kinney tie together loose ends, returning to earlier visions from The Hot Rock, and All Hands on the Bad One, without losing the gritty ferociousness of Call the Doctor. I’m reminded why Dig Me Out was on Spin’s list of The Top 50 Essential Punk Albums. It’s loud, it growls, there’s an 11 minute guitar solo, and it might just be the biggest thing you’ve ever heard. Get this album, Now.
