The Automatik

Virgin Records America, 2004

It would be impossible to attempt to write a review of Courtney Love’s new album without having, even in the back of one’s mind, at least a few preconceived notions. After all, we’ve all seen or heard several years’ worth of crazy stories about her antics. I’ve always been a tremendous Courtney supporter, even when she did things that defied logic. But I wanted to leave out a lot of the personal drama when listening to this album.

It wasn’t easy. America’s Sweetheart is no Celebrity Skin. It’s not the Fleetwood Mac-esque elegy to the dangerous beauty of Southern California. But it’s not the punk rock feminism of the Riot Grrls, either. The music is studio pristine and at times so glossy you can see your own reflection in it. Then there’s Love’s voice.

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From Smack Dab #5, April 1996:

Although you, loyal readers, may have believed fervently that Heidi and I were always media mavens who possessed a brilliant interrogative style, this was alas, not always so. Case in point: our first collective brush with fame, Suede’s Brett Anderson.
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The Everyones
Sloan
Jet
House of Blues
July 18, 2004

I thought that having to wait a month or so to see Sloan after buying the tickets to the show would mean that my giddy, fangirlish anticipation would have waned somewhat and I’d be able to relax and not make a fool of myself. But I was wrong.
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3CG Records

Every time I mention that I like Hanson, the collective response goes something along the lines of, “Aren’t those the little boys that sang that song? I hate them!” The infectiously catchy “Mmmbop,” the hit single that put Hanson on the bedroom walls of millions of teen girls, came out seven years ago, but for whatever reason, Hanson will always be eleven in the minds of most of the world. Listening to the music they’ve released since then would probably be a huge shock to music fans who still picture them as tow-headed, squeaky-voiced kids.
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Capitol, 2003

Now I’m not going to lie to you. I didn’t even like The Vines the first time I heard them. The friend who gave me Highly Evolved also provided me with a lot of gushing about how incredible it was. I listened to it and was not impressed.
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