This sophomore outing arrives as a follow-up to Sick 'Em, two years after the death of guitarist Stefanie Sargent and not very long after 7 Year Bitch were unwittingly proclaimed progenitors of the riot grrrl movement. But if the pedigree involves more sociology than the Bitch can comfortably claim, their music is much more streamlined – it's mean, riff- and bass-driven punk rock with furious vocals. The melodies, when they appear at all, are carried by a rude, snaky lead guitar.

"The Scratch" kicks off the record with singer Selene Vigil shouting, "I want it!" She gets it, sneering and spitting her way through 11 songs. The vocals never wear thin because Vigil always has something to say, whether she's slyly tweaking an addict on "Hip Like Junk" or waxing macho on the slow-rolling "Damn Good and Well," on which she wails, "Don't let your emotions get in the way." 7 Year Bitch are perfectly suited to a cover of Jim Carroll's other good song, "It's Too Late," and to their own relentless mélange of chugging stop-start rhythms and fat and funky bass lines.

The concept of a Seattle-based all-female band has been so swamped in mythology it's hard to remember such an entity actually exists; considerations of music ring fairly dim. Unless, of course, the music is playing. Fast, funny and never completely satisfied, 7 Year Bitch epitomize their genre and make a noise like no one else.

¡Viva Zapata! is available from C/Z Records, 1407 E. Madison, No. 41, Seattle, WA 98122; (206) 621-9127. (RS 691)

ARION BERGER