Battershell: Luv Punks - Album Review

Battershell
Luv Punks
(Ng)

The circus has come home to Popopia and we're all invited, courtesy of gurlee-punkers Battershell. The adventurous trio from New York City is back with "Luv Punks", a return to the "non-mundania world of fantasy and frolic". 

The U.S.S. Battershell has witnessed some serious crew changes since the release of their EP "Beautiful Princess of Spit" in 1995, the year they were signed to NG Records. After gigging around New York and touring the U.S. they released their debut full-length album "Sunshine on Popopia" in 1997. Trapped in their urban environment the band: singer/songwriter/guitarist Tammy Lynn Fulkerson, bass/vocals Hannah Head, and drummer Charlie Lauth, sought to escape into a utopia of their own making. Based on Tammy Lynn's personal experiences, the fifteen songs on the new album will probably ring true for the many patriotic Americans raised on country and western music. Reminiscent of The Muffs, Veruca Salt, and, at times, Jane's Addiction, the drawling lyrics and rockin' melodies constitute a pop-punk meatloaf sandwich with a little mayhem on the side. 

While Tammy Lynn has claimed no affinity for Meat Loaf; Johnny Cash, Ace Frehley and Jimmy Page are definitely on her plate. Her impressive vocal range and solid guitar playing have earned Battershell much adulation as they've been showcased at industry festivals and events such as South By Southwest (two years running), Foundations Forum '96, CMJ Music Conference, and the Macintosh Music Fest. Battershell performs two of their songs on the soundtrack for the movie "Ripe", and have contributed a cover of Bow Wow Wow's "I Want Candy" for the Elektra Records one-hit-wonder compilation. 

Although the upbeat energy and bounce of this album is appealing in a Ramones-y kind of way, it all starts to sound the same after a while. And the lyrics are way too literal, as in: "My chords are tangled, this tone really sucks on my guitar. These cheap effects keep on buzzing, pissing me off." The rangy guitar and bizarre sound effects seem very promising, but the high pitched vocals sour the sauce. Water in the whiskey, if ya know what I mean. 

The real gem on this album, however, is the enthusiastic, trans-gendered cover of Billy Idol's hit "White Wedding". Recommended Tracks: "White Wedding", "Dizzy The Tattooed Dog", and the hidden song six minutes into the final track (Battershell's answering machine and a couple of hot little ditties at the end)

By Christine Leonard
Jul 24, 2001

Kittens: Night Danger Album - Album Review

Kittens
The Night Danger Album
(Sonic Unyon)

The fierce threesome from Winnipeg is back with The Night Danger Album, featuring cover art of an inverted mountain goat that reminds one of a shot from an old Viewmaster 3-D picture disc.

This album reads like a true Melvins tribute, from the muffled bass and unintelligible lyrics right down to the song titles and the font they're printed in. Funnily enough, Kittens have been kind enough to provide the listener with the lyrics to same said songs, i.e. "Water moccasin, choke on the phone/Jeckyll man, /Jeckyll man, the blindfold of hope" taken from the recommended song "Moosejaw". 

All I can say to that is, "Like stee moanin' Ludlow" (see Melvins " Bullhead"). Still, definitely worth listening to, The Night Danger Album possesses all the Kittens' natural charm and (by now) signature ingredients. With six tracks recorded in only three days, this album retains a certain live performance energy with a touch of Oi and honky tonk thrown into the mix, most prevalent in the song "Honky Tonk Werewolf Song". 

I also recognize the more esoteric final track "Silent Night" which seems to have just been thrown in as filler and yet provides some audio relief with the mellow weirdness of a modern hyper-ballad. All too short, this album is a 6 oz. steak where a 10 oz would have satisfied. Kittens can also be heard on the recently released "Now We Are Five" Sonic Unyon artist compilation.

By Christine Leonard
Jul 23, 2001