Number 8 of 2003 — Sleater-Kinney: Dig Me Out

Ah, the early 1990s. Back when I had a well paid job, more hair, and I could drink more without falling over and/or falling asleep. It was also a time when the world’s music press was getting all hot and bothered over riot grrrl. Riot grrrl — as a musical movement rather than an organisation for feminist activism — passed me by. What I heard was sub-1976 punk: disorganised, unlistenable, unpolished and instantly forgettable. But the music was only half the point.

Sleater-Kinney were inspired by the riot grrrl movement – in particular Bikini Kill, and started releasing albums in 1995. This is their third album: the one that brought them critical acclaim, and the one that confirmed them as leaders of “queer punk” (?). I usually reserve my album-of-the-year lists for ones released in the given year but I’m making an exception just this once – I think.

From the very first bars of Dig Me Out, there are two things apparent: there’s an energy and passion about what they do; secondly, they eschew the traditional melodies of rock music for something a little more edgy and different to the ear (q.v. Sonic Youth). Yes, they can play their instruments (but of course you’d expect them to). I’m listening to this album now, and I’ve realised I don’t just like it a lot. I love it.

Turn it On, is based on a monster groove that takes off during the chorus into anthemic proportions. The break towards the end is a spine-tingler. Heart Factory blows hot and cold: “You bring your heart to us we’ll get it purified. What are you waiting for”. Words and Guitar is a song written in frustration at those who put obstacles in the way of their chosen career. In fact, pretty much all of the album is geared this way. But, on Not What You Want Corin Tucker sings about her surprise at a man asking her what’s wrong: “Do you wanna get the wheel / Swerve my heart / It pounds with steel / He said tell me baby what’s wrong.” and on the girl-crush song Buy Her Candy the song alternates between praising and damning a lover who can’t be lived with or abandoned. There’s love, desire and passion in those words, although Dance Song ‘97 expresses it more obviously.

The closer Jenny ends in a blissed out haze of chiming guitars, and it’s a song that fills me with joy. It shouldn’t do. The lyrics are mournful: “I am the girl / I am the ghost / I am the wife / I am the one.” but I hear the guitars and I think “yeah”. Lots of people have started bands because they were inspired by Sleater-Kinney, and I know why.

Kristin Hersh (yes, her again), said that Sleater-Kinney were what Throwing Muses would have sounded like when starting out if they had known how to play their instruments. I think that’s a bit unfair on both bands. With Dig Me Out Sleater-Kinney created a huge hard rocking album that screams with energy. The vocal interplay, the guitars, everything. It binds together beautifully.