Sleater-Kinney: The Woods : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

On Sleater-Kinney's previous album, the post-9/11 One Beat, political tracks such as "Combat Rock" mirrored fans' rage at the exploitation of a national tragedy. Three years later, after John Kerry's crushing defeat, the trio seems to have turned inward, finding solace in the simple pleasures of making some of the best and heaviest music of its career. The Woods was recorded in upstate New York with Mercury Rev and Flaming Lips producer David Fridmann, but Sleater-Kinney's seventh album doesn't have much in common with the groovy neopsychedelia of those bands. That isn't to say that this disc doesn't work as stoner rock (it even includes an eleven-minute jam, "Let's Call It Love") -- it's just a rawer, sludgier, more riff-fueled version of it, recorded with the needle way in the red. More than any previous Sleater-Kinney record, The Woods reflects the classic-rock undercurrent that runs through the punk heroines' live shows, such as Carrie Brownstein's spot-on mimicry of Pete Townshend's stage moves and the group's electrifying cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son." Indeed, it's Creedence that come to mind on the disc's best track, "Rollercoaster," a thrilling riff-first blast amped with propulsive cowbell and pretty ooh-ooh-oohs. Ten years in, indie rock's reigning power trio is letting it all hang out. It's only rock & roll, but you'll like it.

JONATHAN RINGEN

(Posted: May 19, 2005)

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5of 5 Stars

This LP so heavy that I only have to hear it at a low volume and it is all the worth it. Many rock bands today can not even compete musically to this female rock trio. I know Sleater-Kinney is not concerned about having that #1 hit, having its video to be the most requested on TRL, or selling out arenas like The Palace of Auburn Hills or Madison Square Garden but the all female band should be a force to reckon with. I agree "Roller Coaster" is a great song and there are other great numbers on The Woods also. Janet Weiss would make Keith Moon proud and the guitar attack of Tucker and Brownstein has never sounded better. Perhaps Tucker and the gals can show Nickelback a thing or two or they can even show Bon Jovi some tricks. I think Sleater-Kinney is awesome and you would not be disappointed with The Woods.

Apr 20, 2006 11:57:57

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