With a history that dates back three decades now, the band known as Sleater-Kinney are one of unique origins. Out of the Pacific Northwest, the band’s foundation has always been the teaming of Guitarists/Vocalists Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker. A duo with roots in Punk Rock, their anti-establishment, outside the mainstream way of thinking sentiment bleeds through on many early recordings such as the 1994 self-titled, as well as 1996’s Call the Doctor. True and sincere, this vibe has remained consistent throughout the career of the band, following all the way through to their 2021 album Path of Wellness. Of course, growing as songwriters, as well as performers, the maturity in their sound is also evident… and this is ever-so clear with their latest effort, 2024’s Little Rope.
Marking their eleventh overall studio album, and fourth since the band’s 2014 resurrection leading to the release of No Cities to Love in 2015, Little Rope arrives on January 19th through Loma Vista. Something Brownstein and Tucker began working on in the earlier part of 2022, after years of turbulence uncertainty with global lockdowns, perhaps the most emotionally striking song came after the bulk of the sessions; and that is the opening track “Hell.” A true table setter, the album’s lead single is heavily emotional, coming from a very personal place. In fact, it came directly from tragedy after Brownstein received a call that her mother and stepfather had been involved in a fatal car accident. An awful, traumatizing experience, “Hell” exemplifies the uncertainty of life and how we simply never know what will happen next.
With such a sobering opening, you would have to wonder what direction the remainder of Little Rope would follow. Well, as stated, the bulk of the record was actually nearly complete prior to “Hell’s” creation; so the balance of the record is arguably much different. Still honest, raw, and introspective, the nine songs to follow each have their own personality. This includes the rougher sound of “Needlessly Wild” and “Hunt You Down,” but also the vastly differing “Dress Yourself,” as well as “Say It Like You Mean It.”
In-all, the collection is well-written mixtures of Post-Punk and more classic Punk Rock tinted with Alternative Rock styling. This means there is a fair share of fuzzy guitars, yet also catchy Pop leanings that make for some very memorable tracks. That in mind, both Brownstein and Tucker strike you with vocals that are distinct, yet haunting. And if you are someone who has yet to tap into the bloodline of Sleater-Kinney over the course of the past thirty years, if you enjoy classic Alternative artists like Kate Bush, The Pretenders, as well as Missing Persons, or more modern ones such as Metric, but also Meg Myers, you will love what the dynamic songwriting of Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker has to offers. Layers, thoughtful, and a shining example of what modern Alternative Rock can be, Cryptic Rock gives Little Rope 4 out of 5 stars.
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