Album Review by Bec Harbour
Sleater Kinney’s new album Little Rope begins with a song that is utterly heartbreaking and knowing the story behind the loss experienced by Carrie Brownstein with the sudden passing of her parents makes it just that more visceral – this song is ‘Hell’.
‘Hell’ starts with open strumming and a clear vocal track, “Hell don’t have no worries, Hell don’t have no past, Hell is just a signpost when you take a certain path…”
Then the screaming of a synth and the guitars amp up and the vocals become more anguished. ‘Hell’ punches you right in the feels and what a devastatingly emotional track to begin an album. It is however a very typical way for a Sleater Kinney song to unfold using light and dark to power the music and the powerful vocal drags you out of the low that you might have been in to a state of heightened awareness.
Song 2 on Little Rope is easier going, the almost post-punk/new romantic ‘Needlessly Wild’ which has a passing resemblance to Romeo Void’s ‘Never Say Never’. The vocals are deadpan and there seems to be quite a bit of programming on this track (drums and bass). The chorus amps the ante up with vocals and distortion.
‘Say It Like You Mean It’ is the 3rd song and is somewhat unexpected on a Sleater Kinney album. It’s as close to a pop song as you are going to hear from Tucker and Brownstein and showcases Corin Tucker’s vocal range and ability – there is melody and yearning emotion in the vocal and the poppy-synthy track behind is the perfect vehicle for the emotions in this song. This song was one of the most difficult for Tucker – producer John Congleton suggesting that this one needed the vocals to be reworked as it wasn’t quite there yet. Tucker was fuming but took the song home with her. That 3am witching hour inspiration hit and the vulnerability you hear in the vocals are in the final mix.
‘Hunt You Down’ goes back to the art-rock so prevalent on No Cities to Love where Brownstein and Tucker’s harmonies are on point over angular sounds and guitars. ‘Small Finds’ finds itself halfway through the album experience and it returns to that Sleater Kinney sound that was the staple of the first 3 albums.
‘Don’t Feel Right’ starts with synth (is it a zither??) and bouncing lilting guitars with breathy vocals and a chorus that blends Tucker’s and Brownstein’s vocals perfectly with some added acerbity that belies the happy melody; “Don’t hang around, I’m a real let down, Don’t push me now, I’m a real let down…”
‘Six Mistakes’ asks the question, “Is it all in my head?” adding the effects and synthetic sounds to the trademark guitar work that makes Sleater Kinney so recognisable (that and Tucker’s vocals). ‘Crusaders’ pulls marching drums and a guitar jangle that morphs into a dance beat. There are a lot more effects and synthetic sounds on Little Rope and I really like the progression into a more art-rock sound while still remaining heavy and guitar driven.
“Stand up straight, And comb your hair, A style you’re told, Looks half deranged…” ‘Dress Yourself’ is an interlude before the conclusion of Little Rope and sounds like the part of a rock opera where the protagonist is doing some soul-searching. The last song on the album ‘Untidy Creatures’ drops in with characteristic guitars cutting through the mood that the last song created with the beautiful vocal with the emotion conveyed front and centre; “Looking at me like a problem to solve, Like a untidy creature that you can’t push around, You built a cage but your measurements wrong, I’ll find a way, I’ll pick your lock…”
The lyrical mood and the musical mood rarely match on Little Rope and it works incredibly well. Sleater Kinney have always used their version of a ‘spoon full of sugar’ to carry their message to their listeners. Little Rope was born of devastation, pain and loss while being cathartic to its makers and a paradox to the audience. It’s an emotional journey but there is beauty and healing within, I highly recommend you listen as tracked to experience the intended journey on Little Rope – 9.5/10
Sleater Kinney are touring in May 2024 – check out tickets and locations here.
