Originally published in Verbicide issue #7

Sleater-Kinney open this new album with the title track, “One Beat,” and when I first heard it I was nervous — a very fragmented track, it is extremely repetitious, and (with the exception of the always-clever, always-distinguishable S-K lyrics) rather obnoxious. But I say now, after many listens, how deceptive a track to open such a fine album with! Following the sub-par first effort, Sleater-Kinney provide a treasure-chest containing 11 incredible, classic tunes. Like “The Hot Rock,” this album has found the perfect balance between the bubblegum pop of “All Hands on the Bad One” which instigated Time magazine to proclaim S-K 2000’s “Band of the Year,” and the anti-pop of “Dig Me Out” that made this trio favorites of indie-punks all over the world.

It would be easy to categorize S-K as simply “feminist,” “punk,” “spawn of the riot grrrl movement,” whatever, but I have never perceived this band as being so one-dimensional and shallow. What makes Corin, Carrie, and Janet a truly great musical ensemble is that, stylistically and lyrically, they are impossible to categorize any further than simply as a “rock and roll” band.

Lyrically, the band traverses a sea of emotion, ranging from the maternal insecurities of “Sympathy,” the melancholy wistfulness of “Light-Rail Coyote,” the west-coaster’s reaction to 9/11 in “Far Away,” and the positive, encouraging feminist ballad, “Prisstina.” S-K are as catchy as ever, and even treat the listeners to some new sounds, such as the incorporation of a brass section in track six, “Step Aside,” strings in “The Remainder,” and a smattering of synth and keys throughout.

I suggest sitting down with this new album, playing it the whole way through, and reading the lyrics as you go. Sleater-Kinney are a band that deserve your undivided attention and appreciation.

(Kill Rock Stars, 120 NE State Ave. #418, Olympia, WA 98501)