(Single from album, "Celebrity Skin")
When grunge sold out?
Courtney Love's band have the pop factor when it comes to the underground Seattle sound of the 1990s, and, although their commercial success suggests otherwise, this song is screaming 'mainstream'.
For one, that is a damned infectious riff. Recently listed in NME's 50 greatest riffs of all time, the opening squawk to Hole's most successful UK single release is loud, and very reminiscent of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", but more poppy. The unit is too polished, not thrashy or violent or dark enough to sound truly indie like Cobain's collective of emotional dysfunction.
That said, Love's voice is very close to that of her late husband. It has the effect, especially in a punk-style song like this, which, is stripped down pretty bare in some places (like 0:02), of being another instrument and part of the band, sonically, as opposed to just the vehicle for the words that go over the top of the music. The lyrics are pretty decent too, telling of a washed up Hollywood star, fading away, encircled by the subject of plastic surgery; these guys have real edgy rock ideals, and especially in the video, they look pretty alternative too...
The instrumentation, despite its fairly amazing production values considering the genre, still has the indie edge and talent, even if they are hanging on to a crumbling ledge on the edge of the grand pop music canyon. The guitars are pretty 'punk' all the way through, and the wild heart-attack style drums are toned down a bit, but still retain a feeling of urgency and explosive emotion (they are probably most responsible for the radio friendly tone of the track). The bass is the best part here. Its got a real punk/funk feel and its got all the crunch and grinding angst of classic American punk/new wave songs, all of which will come rushing back to memory at the start of the song as the edgy blur of noise hits your face.
The chorus is also great little addition to the track. Its jangly and very complex and also, the best part of the song, besides that grrrooooooovvvvvaaaaayyyyy bass line. Beginning at 0:58, the anti-establishment lyrics are strongest here, and the guitars shine, with the real talent of Hole obvious from every audible angle.
So, this has been my first Hole track, and, I am, to say the very least, intrigued. Give this band a go, see what you think - hey, if you start now, you'll be going at the same pace as me...
★★★★★
Versions of “Celebrity Skin”
Album/Single Version - 2:47