lambchops's Full Review: American Thighs by Veruca Salt
Who is this "Veruca Salt" character? Well, besides being a nasty and mean character in a certain movie and book centered around a Chocolate Factory, "Veruca Salt" is a keenly interesting band of post punk-pop rockers. And, to make this band even more interesting, the members are mostly female. The band was formed in the Chicago area 1993 following the meeting of lead singers and guitarists Louise Post and Nina Gordon. "American Thighs" released in September 1994 on independent label Minty Fresh was their first go-round at the music making thing. The album was quickly snatched up by mega-label Geffen, and the band was on their way! Rounding out the lineup was bassist Steve Lack and Gordon's brother Jim Shapiro.
"American Thighs" is an interesting blend of pop and punk with great guitars and great voices. Following the release of this album, the band had the pleasure of touring with the likes of Hole and PJ Harvey. The most well-received track on this album was "Seether." You've likely heard it. Veruca Salt followed up this effort with "Eight Arms to Hold You" in 1997 and "Resolver" in 2000. The two talented lead songstresses and guitarists wrote their own music for this album. They are apparently very talented.
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1. GET BACK
There's something startling about the contrast between the heavy electric guitars and drums and the delicate voices of Post and Gordon. This is a mid-paced song. It's slower than I usually like hearing from rock bands, but somehow it seems appropriate and for that matter the pace creates a relaxing atmosphere of sorts. To be quite honest, this is a great song and very impressive for a first song from the first album of a band on an independent label. Veruca Salt show that they are serious when they claim to be musicians with this song written by Gordon. In addition, the lyrics are very catchy...
I'm running out, I don't know when to stop.
I thought I'd wait until I saw the penny drop.
It started raining, pennies falling in my lap,
And I could spend it, but I'd never get it back...
2. ALL HAIL ME
Another rock song. This one very well could have musically come from a band like Alice in Chains. But, instead it's from the female-lead Veruca Salt. Again, the pace is a bit slower than I like to hear, but it's still pretty darned good. Gordon and Post both have beautiful voices that sound wonderful in the context of a guitar-laden track like "All Hail Me." Listen to it...I dare you! The lyrics aren't as good as what Gordon writes, but they are still good. Check out some of what Post wrote:
So sorry mother
I've let you down
I'm soaked in blood here
I can't get out
3. SEETHER
This was by far the most commercially successful song on "American Thighs." This is what I call rock. It's fast, driving, excited, and just plain genius. I love the speed and the anger expressed. It sounds bitter most of the time. This is most of the time what I end up liking...emotional, fast rock songs. The chorus is great. There are no real points at which a listener could even come close to losing interest in the tune. This is the kind of song that makes a band. Fortunately Veruca Salt didn't struggle much with getting this one on the scene...And who could possibly forget the opening lines? Check it out.
Seether is neither loose nor tight.
Seether is neither black nor white.
I tried to keep her on a short leash,
I tried to calm her down.
I tried to ram her into the ground, yeah.
4. SPIDERMAN '79
This is an oddly slow song that's accompanied by really heavy guitars and Post's interesting voice. It's a good song, but to be quite honest not exactly my favorite kind. But, it's a fun song that's not too hard one the ears. Definitely not what could be considered a weak song, "Spiderman '79" is worth a listen if you're taking the time to listen to the rest of the album. The only real valid complaint I have about this track is that at times the guitars are too overpowering in comparison to Post's voice. Here's a bit of the song:
You're so nice, you tie me in a web
And cradle me till dawn.
You're so deadly that I can see your breath
Beneath me when you're gone.
You're so windy, I'd like to pin you down
And tack you to the wall,
Spiderman, Spiderman.
5. FORSYTHIA
This song makes me realize just why I like Veruca Salt. The songs that I prefer on this album are written by the talented Nina Gordon. She's got a very different voice...it's high-pitched and almost whiney. But, I have to say that this is a good song. It's another oddly mid-tempo song, but definitely easy on the ears. The bass line on this one is fun and very important in contrast to Gordon. Gordon has a very interesting concept of music...
I don't mind sitting in the way, way back.
I don't mind lying to my friends.
One thing about Forsythia,
She comes around and I get lost
Against her yellow I'm no longer me.
6. WOLF
Post has a great, driving song here. She tends to write songs with heavy guitars. Her voice is honestly a bit monotone for me on this track. This leads me to the conclusion that this song is boring. I'd prefer that she let up on the guitars and pump up the drums or bass or even her voice. Toward the middle of the song, there's a delicate change that eliminates the guitars almost totally. That part is fine, but doesn't make up for the weaknesses. Decent, don't skip it, but you won't think it's the standout of "American Thighs."
Angels can be so deceiving
When they love you well.
Did you think you would be leaving me?
7. CELEBRATE YOU
Starting out with an old-fashioned rock lead in, this song has promise from the beginning. There's the Post guitar and very obvious guitars. The song is mid tempo like most of Veruca Salt's offerings. Gordon's beautiful voice is heartbreaking in the background. This song is very sad. There's definite emotion here. I have to say that this is one of the most interesting songs on the album as a result of the women's voices and drums (yes, the guitars are overdone at times). The lyrics are also very thoughtful...
And in the dream you held a gun;
You killed off all who hurt you
And left me there the only one
Who would not dare desert you.
I'm safe here growing in the shade,
Away from all your brightness.
I lost my innocence today
When I learned how to write this.
8. FLY
No, this isn't Sugar Ray. Rather it's Veruca Salt on another one of Post's tracks. This time, we have a song that features just a voice and a bass guitar. It's touchingly delicate and very much unlike the rest of the tracks. This is why I enjoy "Fly" quite a bit. The track shows the real talent and ability of Veruca Salt to not ever quite sound the same. Again, I feel a sense of sadness and for that matter loss (probably as a result of the scant musical elements). Here's a quick sample of the song's poetic verse...
Twice given to yesterday
Right for a foray with fate.
Fly me home to heaven's gate, fly me.
Fly me. Fly...
9. NUMBER ONE BLIND
Written by Gordon and her brother Shapiro, this is a great song. It's also a welcome contrast to Post vision of music (mind you, Gordon and Post obviously have different techniques). The guitar is different...rather than dense, it's marked by a picking technique at times. The bass is great and the song is just a rocking mid tempo festival. Fun song, definitely one of my favorite from this great album. Again, Veruca Salt seems sad somehow as illustrated here:
Blind me please,
I am on my hands and knees.
I can only pray
Take my sun away, away.
10. VICTROLA
This thick guitar laden tune is rather quirky. It's an ode to the Victrola. Post is both loud and soft at the same time. Although, I have to say that this fast-paced song could have gotten some airplay if the right soundtrack had come along. This is a fun, fast, and entertaining song. Post has finally done a really good job with a song if you discount the lyrics. The music here is good. Besides rhyming, the words don't have much relevance:
You're my winter love,
I can lie here
With you so near
We both live here
Happy New Year...
11. TWINSTAR
Gordon again polishes her songwriting chops with this track. It's soft with meaningful lyrics to go with her delicate, soft voice. Gordon sounds like the singer-songwriter she has turned out to be in this song. The only thing I can complain about it the fact that at times the heavy Veruca Salt guitars drown out Gordon's ethereal voice. She sounds like an angel here...
You want to lift me up,
But you don't know, and you don't see.
I'm stuck in my ways, stuck in my ways.
I'm stuck in my ways.
12. 25
This is good old fashioned rock and roll. I like the drum and guitar that introduces the song. It's loud and driving, but like many of Veruca Salt's songs an oddly paced midtempo tune at times. The places where this song shines is during the very quiet times featuring Gordon's voice almost exclusively. She surely has a way with words and with singing. In fact, she's very much unlike what you've heard in the past. Her words are magically assembled in this nearly 8 minute track.
I'm afraid I will never change.
It's okay, I am not ashamed.
I can say that my bed is made.
You can bend me, shape me any way.
You can bend me, shape me any way you want me.
13. SLEEPING WHERE I WANT
As the final track on the album, this song should leave me with a good feeling if done correctly. Fortunately, Gordon's got a gem here. Her guitar is somehow obviously electric though also somehow soft and delicate. I wish I could hear her voice more clearly, but other than that, this is a good song that's unlike all the rest of them. Listen all the way through.
This is my favorite time.
I can sleep until the phone rings
And I doubt that it will.
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Veruca Salt has an exceptional debut album here. Some may have thought and Gordon, Post and company would forever be considered "one hit wonders." Nope, thanks to some subsequent success on their later albums. Lead singer/guitarist Nina Gordon also left the band to pursue her solo career. The result? A beautiful album entitled "Tonight And the Rest of My Life."
"American Thighs" is a hard rocking gem of an album. It's the perfect addition to a rock/alternative collection. There isn't a really weak song among the thirteen tracks. You don't want to miss out on Post and Gordon. They are talented, yet underrated, artists. I give this album a 4.5/5.0. Since I reserve the 5 star rating for the best of the best, I am forced to hand it five stars.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
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