Review:

on 2009-08-30 loveisparanoid Said:

ok. this album is so great. i may be prejudiced because Hole is my favorite band but whatever. Teenage Whore: an excellent way to start the album giving a jump start into punk. Babydoll: a bit long but overall great. the lyrics are what makes this great and it's written about Kat Bjelland. Garbadge Man: one of my all time favorites the lyrics are written about Courtney's step dad who was a garbage man. and the music fits together perfectly, especially the drums go well with Courtney's scream. Sassy: really interesting and actually a good song when you listen. a lot of great screaming and cool lyrics, good bass line. Good Sister/Bad Sister: written also about Kat this song's lyrics are incredible and the song itself is great. her screams are magnificent. Mrs Jones: my absolute favorite song on the album, the guitar parts are incredible and I LOVE the lyrics. this song is about an abortion Courtney had in 1985. Berry: another great track, has cool guitar parts and really good lyrics that also are about her step dad (who ditched her family when she was young) like "and when you fall for the garbage man..YOU WIND UP IN THE..garbage..")Loaded: my 2nd favorite song on the album. it has a haunting melody and lyrics like "don't blush when I rip you open" its a life changing song. Starbelly: an interesting beginning, it has parts from a Fleetwood Mac song and parts from a later Hole song "Best Sunday Dress". pretty great song. Pretty on the Inside/Clouds: Courtney builds a cathedral to screaming on this with great lyrics and good bass lines. overall a great way to end this masterpiece
Not Rated

on 2009-05-14 dscanland Said:

Seriously nice review infinitemusic! Thanks for making me re-listen to Pretty on the Inside. I love looking back at past classics.
Not Rated

Review:

on 2009-05-13 infinitemusic Said:

Preceding Nirvana's In Utero by two years, Pretty on the Inside anticipates, and in some cases betters the metallic noise pop of the most influential 90's band's masterpiece. Influenced in equal parts by Black Sabbath and Sonic Youth, Hole created a sound that was unique at the time, and still has hardly been imitated. With a surprisingly modern approach (samples weren't nearly as common at the time) Hole sounds a swirling pool of depression reminiscent of a more extreme and less technical Funhouse-era Stooges. The songs are long, heavy and go from loud to louder, with unique structures, playing styles, and intense noise passages. The most accessible song on the album is "Garbadge Man" which by another band could have been a hit pop song (check out the video version on YouTube if you want a song to change your life), but going deeper there are spooky noise collages ("Star Belly" and "Sassy") dark, disturbing descriptions of sexual assault ("Mrs. Jones") and songs about Courtney's rocky relationships with her friends ("Baby Doll" and "Good Sister/Bad Sister"). This music isn't "girl" music by any means. It's universal in theme and anyone, man or woman can relate to the sinking feeling of desperation that permeates it. One of the most interesting albums released in an extremely good year for music. Worth checking it out. If you can handle it it will change your life.
Rating: 10/10