Girls In The Woods

One the day the duck was born
The fox was watching all along
He said, "Land Ho!" when he saw the duck
"Land Ho!" and the duck saw him too

'Shiny Pretty Fox' thought the duck

The duck came up onto the land
The fox saw her and he just laughed

"I could show you some shiny tricks." he said
"Come along we'll get our kicks," he said
"Land Ho!" for shiny tricks
"Land Ho!" for me

"Oh Fox! Is this love? Can you tell me? What is love?"

That good looking fox only knew one trick
He could break hearts just lickety-split
The duck knew this game she had to quit
And her own pond she was headed to quick
"I'll go I'll go and there's no looking back"

Goodbye little fox

That is the lyrics to the opening song called "The Fox" by Sleater Kinney. Just imagine those lyrics with the power of two guitars and drums in your ear cranked up past 20. The wonderful screaming of Corin Tucker shaking every fiber of your body. She can do it too, I've seen it and the power can rattle anybody. Sadly the album this comes from is the last album Sleater Kinney put out. The album is called The Woods.

When you first hear this album beside the wonderful opening track I just talked about you hear how Sleater Kinney was intended to be heard. It's onslaught of heavy, angry, spiralling guitars, ridiculously loud drums, and Corin Tucker's inimitable, love-them-or-hate-them vocalsh and beautiful sound that only could be created by them. The Woods is so loud you wonder how three people can create such wonderful stuff and still have time to breathe.




I think I became a Sleater Kinney fan when I heard them on college radio in 1997. They sounded fun, fresh and new. They were also excellent female musicians. Janet's drumming was loud and it was not simple. She would as they call it "Fill" very well. Songs like "Words and Guitar" were great and showcased the vocals of Corin. Carrie's rhythm guitar playing sounded like she was playing both guitar and bass with having a bass player there. Their guitar playing overlapped very well. I was hooked. It was time to like a new band.

By the time 1999 came around they were on fire. I heard them all the time on college radio. They were so great then I would buy there album. This time I liked what I heard and wanted more. They quickly put out something new in 2000 and by then they on fire and each song on All Hands On The Bad One was amazing. I had a copy of the CD and would blast it all the time. Then 2002 came around. A new album that could have reflection on 9/11 came out. Sure enough Sleater Kinney's take was amazing, and what resulted was an even better more improved sound from them. The album One Beat was on my top 20 of 2002. They toured and it was one of the best shows of that year. I still would put it in one of the top 50 shows I have seen. ( I have seen over 500 shows)



There next album blew all their other albums away. Not only did they make noise with the music, but in the music world they shifted labels. They left Kill Rock Stars for Sub Pop. Sub Pop is one of the most innovative Indie Rock labels. They have some of the coolest acts on this label, artists include, Mudhoney, The Shins, Wolf Parade, Band of Horses, and at one point Nirvana and Soundgarden. They decided with their time to add a really great producer too. David Fridmann, who worked with the mighty Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev, gave Sleater Kinney a different voice and most of all some new fans.

Each song on The Woods has a wonderful vibe that was really well created live. Each had an abrasive edge like no other. Janet's drums were right in your face. Both Carrie and Corin could be in your head faster then you can say. You even felt when you saw them live they really could make some noise. They opened for Pearl Jam and blew the doors off anybody who thought they were lame chick rock. They had great reviews and then they sprung upon us that they were going to take a hiatus. I was sad and confused.

If they ever decided to get back together I would welcome them again. They are one of the best bands in the world. Any of their albums are wonderful, but you should start with The Woods. It's an album that shows how intense a three piece could be. Listen for yourself. Wonders do exist if you look past the trees.