REVIEW: No Cities To Love by Sleater-Kinney

      I'm having trouble figuring out how to start this review. First off, I haven't written a review in awhile. Second, Sleater-Kinney are one of the most formidable acts in all of indie rock. They are one of most famous bands of the riot grrrl movement because of seven albums that range from good to classic. All of the members of the band are extremely successful individually, Carrie Brownstein with the hilarious Portlandia, Corin Tucker with Heavens To Betsy, and Janet Weiss with the Jicks, Elliott Smith, The Shins, and Wild Flag. The indie community was ecstatic when they heard that these talented individuals were coming together once again to record as a full group. Based off the amount of amazing work behind them, I and many others were extremely excited for the group's new album and they do not disappoint. 

      Sleater-Kinney have the remarkable ability to have every part of a song stand out, but blend together well. Every amazing guitar riff couldn't stand on it's own without Janet's pounding drums. Corin's vocal power is astounding, lyrically and musically. The band transcends questions of punk grime versuses catchiness and just makes some really good songs. If this description above sounds like it could describe any Sleater-Kinney release, it's because it could. The band knows how to make a good record, so why change the formula?

      The band has described this release as Sleater-Kinney 2.0, which I find to be very accurate. Every song on here is immediately recognizable as a Sleater-Kinney song, but that doesn't mean the album sounds like a rehash of previous material. Sleater-Kinney's core sound stays the same, while the details change. This is why completely different albums like The Woods and Dig Me Out sound like their coming from the same group. Sleater-Kinney don't do anything to revolutionize their sound, they just change it enough to keep themselves sounding fresh. I'm going to give album 8/10 stars for sounding new and fresh, while keeping their core sound intact.

BEST TRACKS: "No Cities To Love", "A New Wave", "Bury Our Friends"

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆