Search - L7 :: Slap Happy

Jessica G. (Jessie) from GLENOLDEN, PA
Reviewed on 6/21/2007...

Early 90's riot girl band- a little punk mixed with a tinge of pop.

A sad farewell to a great career

Eric Brothers | fountain valley, ca United States | 09/24/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Before I begin my review, let me explain the rather cryptic title . After three years of no word whatsoever from L7 and two more years of "indefinite hiatus", L7 co-founder Donita Sparks announced this year that L7 has broken up and that she and drummer Dee Plakas have formed a new band. This news casts my review of SLAP HAPPY in a rather sad light, seeing as it was the group's final album.

After being dropped from Slash Records, the band formed their own label, Wax Tadpole Records. The time forming the label occupied the time that the band would spend writing,and the gals wanted a record out in 1999 so, rather than taking a year to write and record a new album, L7 selected songs that were discarded from their other albums, which explains why SLAP HAPPY has a rather static and sometimes tired feel to it.

Most of the songs are average or inferior filler, with an occasionally interesting experimental touch (the lovely three-part harmony in the middle of "Crackpot Baby' being the best example). The searing, beautiful "Freezer Burn", from THE BEAUTY PROCESS sessions, is the only track worth the price of admission.

Since the band was on their own dollar, the album was recorded in their rehearsal space using first or second takes, which gives the album a raw, spontaneous feel like their early masterpiece SMELL THE MAGIC but the sound here is completely flat and lacks the crunch that the band was so famous for.

Another unfortunate side to this album is the alarming slide the band has taken lyrically. Instead of the witty, sometimes profound gems from past albums, SLAP HAPPY has lines like "Got some lemons/Make some kickass lemonade". Two other songs, "On My Rockin' Machine" and "Mantra Down", consist of three lines repeated over and over to the point where most listeners will probably be scrambling to hit the skip button on their CD player.

To sum it all up, this is an inferior record from a superior band known for their consistency and commitment to quality. As a longtime fan, I can't help but feel cheated, and I think the reason this CD gets so many positive reviews here is because it won back the fans that were turned off by THE BEAUTY PROCESS.

A year later, L7 were recording their next album when singer/guitarist Suzi Gardner, tired of years of life on the road, decided to leave the band, ending their 15-year run. I think I speak for many of my fellow fans when I say that I wish that Gardner had stayed to finish the album, because it would have been a more fitting end to such an amazing, groundbreaking career."

The album is ok....

Ryan | KY | 09/07/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This album does not live up to there other albums . There are a couple of good songs, but it just does not match there past albums. Especially in the lyrics department. L7 does write some silly songs in there older albums, but most of there songs have a message. A very clear message. This new album isn't like that at all which is very disappointing for me because lyrics are a big reason for me listening to a band. Thats why I don't listen to bands like Limp Bizcut. There lyrics are horrible crap that mean nothing at all. Anywho, good album to pick up if you can find it used."