 "My favorite punk album of the 90s" | 2007-02-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A177SEQ3RSVG49 |
| Pussy Whipped is an amazing album. For me, it is the best of riot-grrrl. The sonic assault is awesome and evokes hardcore, the tunes catchy as hell and the lyrics sharp and fun (though sometimes a little difficult to hear). Kathleen Hannah's voice can both screech and sing, and it all sounds great. This is real punk, so that not even purists who care a lot about such categories could complain about it. I agree with Bikini Kill's message, but that's whole different thing. This album is cream of the crop on terms of MUSIC. The only fault I can think of is how short it is, but then again, that's the case with a lot of great punk albums... |
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| "Feminism musically expressed mid 90's. A masterpiece." | 2006-01-02 |
| - Reviewed By chrisbct |
Ordinarily I don't write a review when there's already over 5 or so reviews. But, I can't help myself here. I made a 60 minute tape of this, the first split album and their other short album along with the Peel 7". I left off about 3 songs altogether. It made for one swingin' tape.
It wasn't till I was playing this CD in my car (keeps peace at home), loud, of course, that I realized this album is one of the few I've heard over 30 years that is just excellent from beginning to end.
Of course, they have their biggest hit single, or, if we had real radio stations, it would have been, 'Rebel Girl', just aching to be enjoyed by the masses but it'll never be. Instead, its up to those of us, like you folks looking them up on amazon.com, who get to track down their music and dig that high quality sound.
Inventors of riot grrl, 90's version (from what I can tell). I heard about 20 other riot grrl bands and none of them had the consistency and overall quality of BIKINI KILL. It's a mix of, as ever with any great band, very strong song writing and, in this case, intense lead vocals and winning lyrics. Carrying on with the noble punk tradition of not having records full of sappy love songs, these 3 ladies and a guy pack the lyrics with a full punch letting us know that feminist issues have not disappeared, without the band actually going out and obtaining a feminist membership card.
If only the YEASTIE GIRLZ had done as many records as BIKINI KILL did. Never heard of 'em? They only did a tape and a 7". Acappela 3 gals from Bay Area around mid 80's. Lovely. Similar lyrics and musically potent too, tho hard to really tell since, as I recall, they didn't use any instruments but their voices. Still, the songs were great.
If you only get one BIKINI KILL record, this is it. Reject All American has about 2 great songs, CD of their first 2 albums is about half brilliant songs. This release here is 100% pure pleasure. You know someone's angry here. chrisbct@hotmail.com |
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 "Feminism Is Still Relevant and Important" | 2005-09-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3E0TLQ80XCK1B |
| This album speaks to a cause, and this type of music usually ends up preaching to the choir, but so what the choir needs sermons too. Anyone who has felt the inside incinerating frustration that comes from being aware of the injustice to the "other" (all non white heterosexual males) inherent in most practiced western ideologies will smile at the angry irony in the tiny "cute" voice with which Kathleen Hanna delivers her biting testimonies of "otherness". There is a certain catharsis in this musical project which renders it inarticulate. The lyrics aren't all that eloquent, however, if you listen close you might notice they're pretty well read. Most people spend a lot more time with Michael Crichton than they do any theorist, but not Ms. Hanna. Musically the songs are energizing, melodies brewed according to a pretty standard punk formula. Unfortunately for you, Bikini Kill (now defunct)were probably at their best live. Live they could express themselves through action as well as music. Typically, Kathleen Hanna would remove an article of clothing at some point during the show, like her skirt, and state that her "big" ass adorned with cellulite and unflattering underwear was a "real ass" unlike that of say a playboy centerfold whose so air brushed she might as well be wearing clothes. A record can't compete with the way an action like that drives the message home. Feminism is still important. Those who believe riot grrls (however you want to call them or spell it) are redundant or unnecessary have been tricked. The power structure (which has not changed since the '60's) wants you to believe that it has reformed itself, and legally, technically it has. Laws are in place, and women in Illinois make 73 cents on every dollar a man does. Fair? Women have nothing to complain about? No, they shouldn't be complaining. What the are they doing out of the kitchen? |
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| "I'll scratch out yr eyes!" | 2005-09-06 |
| - Reviewed By usedrustynail |
| This is one of the best female albums I've ever heard!! I got their tape from a friend, and I listened to it and fell in love. The best songs are probably Speed Heart, Rebel Girl, and Lil Red. The screaming is rad, because they don't even try to sound cool or anything, they just plain scream. I love it!! I'll probably buy it on CD though, because tapes are smelly and annoying. But anyways, GO BUY IT!! |
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| "Kathleen Hannah is Angry" | 2004-07-19 |
| - Reviewed By Anonymous |
| First of all, this CD is awesome. The whole feminist drive is amazing. I just have to say I read reviews for it and how they are pushing the feminist movement too far. I know that they dont stand for rape or whatever, but for not needing a man to tell you you're pretty or what have you. And on a second note, Kathleen Hannah is angry, she sings that way and it rules. |
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| "Speechless" | 2004-04-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: AT8PSYNXQ714A |
| I bought this cd because I heard it was a good cd through friends, though I had never heard any of their songs before. Upon first listening I was instantly hooked and could not stop playing it. The lyrics are amazing and the loud abrasive music makes you want to scream right along with Kathleen Hanna's screeching words. After listening to this cd, i went out and bought Reject All American, their second album. Although their their songs are still powerful, it is more pop and, in my opinion, not as good. I recommend this cd to anyone who wants some quality female rock music, or anyone with an open mind. |
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 "Deja Vu?" | 2004-02-21 |
| - Reviewed By Anonymous |
First, Bikini Kills musical sound is the standard hardcore one step away from the Dead Kennedys. The drums, bass, and guitars are the best part of the music and they're mediocre at best. But, Kathleen Hanna's annoying, screaming voice takes away from the overall sound. It's always awkward when a woman sings with an angry tone, whether it is for social or biological reasons.
Second, the relevance of their message seems to be a bit clouded. If it were the 1960's, the riot grrls would've been a perfect part of the feminist movement. Now, it seems if they're pushing for something that's already been established. Women are not considered second-class citizens anymore. Rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and discrimination are all illegal activities. The system is on their side.The 1990's were a time of a new generation rehashing ideas that were already thought of: anti racism, feminism, and anti materialism. In a way, Generation X was just imitating their parents, or sucking up to them. The only original idea to come out of the 1990's was disenfranchisement, and it's evident that idea had hardly any impact at all. |
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| "Wow" | 2003-05-10 |
| - Reviewed By rmj84 |
| Brutal doesn't even begin to describe the impact of Pussy-Whipped. The waves of distortion, screaming, and non-stop feedback never let up until the final song "For Tammy Rae," a slow, subdued, but no less stunning song. This is one of those albums that made punk rock vital again. It's no b.s.: loud, raw, three-chords, angry, and meaningful. The production is much improved from their previous singles, and it creates an assualt on the senses; think Black Flag's Damaged times ten (that's not to say that this sounds like Black Flag). It's a shame Bikini Kill are no more, and I would have loved to have seen them live. But Pussy-Whipped is an excellent document of this great band. Try "Blood One," "Rebel Girl," and "Tell Me So." |
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| "All I Can Say Is..." | 2003-04-02 |
| - Reviewed By xxriot_grrlxx |
| This is a must have album for any riot grrrl fan. I have to say that Bikini Kill is my favorite band. This album is there second best. The first being the first two records. Rebel Girl is an amazing song. This whole album is full of great lyrics, awsome drums and guitar. Kathleen Hanna pulls it off again. |
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| "pussywhipped" | 2002-03-05 |
| - Reviewed By the_riot_dyke |
| While all of the Bikini Kill CDs are masterpieces, none explore the female psyche so delicately as "Pussywhipped." The first two records were young and snotty and had a message, "The Singles" was tight and effective, and "Reject All American" carried feminism to a more melodic yet still highly emotional place. It is "Pussywhipped" that is the darkest, the rawest, the scariest place in Kathleen Hanna's mind. While it shares all the clever lyrics of the other albums, songs like "Sugar," "Lil Red" and most of all "Star-Bellied Boy" take "Suck My Left One" to a more personal place. This is not to say that "Pussywhipped" is no fun, because it is. Kathleen Hanna is so animated despite her pain that it is difficult not to enjoy Bikini Kill's music even if yr appreciation is based solely on the sound of her voice, and the girl friendship anthem "For Tammy Rae" is so sweet that it almost seems to erase the painful memories dredged up by earlier songs. And while little known, "Starfish" is one of the most eloquently understated anthems of survival ever written. Buy it right now. |
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