Scrawl

• Plus, Also, Too-- [No Other, 1987] B
• Travel On, Rider [Elektra, 1996] *
• Nature Film [Elektra, 1998] A-

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Plus, Also, Too-- [No Other, 1987]
As female-identified garage-rock, this never attempts to glorify its ineptitude with swagger or poetry--it has the guts to make plain that ineptitude isn't so damn far from vulnerability. Too often, right, it's merely inept--tuneless and quiet instead of tuneless and loud. But when S. Hershe worries that she's turning into "a slut," or wonders if she should "decide not to worry," or simply sings "I'm sad, I'm sad, I'm so fucking sad," her brains could break your heart. B

Travel On, Rider [Elektra, 1996]
their grim, unpretentious, personal best ("Good Under Pressure," "The Garden Path") *

Nature Film [Elektra, 1998]
With a realism other alt vets should have the modesty to imitate, these likable journeywomen cannibalize obscure old records only their cult will ever hear and come away with six songs they figure will top most of their new ones. Having learned to sing like godmothers Grace Slick and Joan Jett, they pump up "Charles," for the lucky sex partner who waits up after rehearsal, and "11:30 (It's January)," the saddest New Year's Eve song ever told. And thus they help you hear the new "Don't We Always Get There," about the perilous drive to the next gig or orgasm. A-