Artist: Kittie
Label: Artemis
Release Date: 10/19/99
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Title: Spit Artist: Kittie Label: Artemis Release Date: 10/19/99 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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2 | ||
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
The buzz is starting to grow on this Canadian, all-girl four piece. My first introduction to them was at the Milwaukee Metalfest, where they enjoyed a spot on the main stage. Most "underground" metalheads will likely shrug this band off as a "new metal," Coal Chamber, MTV friendly type of band, but after seeing them live and listening to their debut, I think this assessment may be a little premature. While there is no denying that they incorporate this sound, it is not the sole nature of the band. Their lead single, "Brackish," unfortunately, isn't the song that is going to prove this theory. Fans of this style will like it though, it's quite catchy, and the dual vocals come chorus time complement each other nicely. If this band is to hit it in the MTV arena, this is the song that will do it for them.
"There has got to be more to these women then just getting screwed over, and it would be nice for them to let us into that part." But where I find this band much more interesting, is where they stray from this overplayed style and incorporate other influences. Having three of these ladies trading vocal duties is quite an asset, and none of them seem to be afraid to scream and growl like the boys. The title track, "Spit" is as good an example of this as any, and proves to be a pretty cool track. One can definitely hear influences of Crisis, and while they may maintain a more commercial sound, it's nice to see that more underground bands have made their presence known.
Another way in which this band separates themselves from the Coal Chambers of the world, is with a mellower sound on a few select tracks, much in the vein of the now defunct Human Waste Project. Many either didn't hear Human Waste Project, or disregarded them right off the bat because of their producer (Ross Robinson), but I always thought they were on to something original, even if it wasn't the heaviest thing out there. Kittie seems to have captured the feel of this band in parts, and if, on future releases, they could put more of their own spin on this style, they could come more into their own.
Photos by Cynthia PelznerThis brings me to one of the criticisms of this band. There really isn't much on this album that doesn't sound borrowed. To their defense, these ladies are very young (I believe still of high school age), and hopefully this will change as they mature. After seeing them live, I noticed that they weren't that tight, but their studio work seems to have smoothed over the rough edges that are hard to conceal in a live show. Another criticism of this band is that they seem to fall into the same lyrical trap as many other female bands. Most lyrics are of the fucked-up by bad relationships variety, which seems to happen far too often. There has got to be more to these women then just getting screwed over, and it would be nice for them to let us into that part. Bottom line: if you've already made up your mind about this band, there is nothing on this disc that will change your mind, but there definitely is something raw here, that given time to grow and come into its own, could be quite impressive.
Death's Review:
I bring three main prejudices to this review which, although each only marginally relevant to Kittie, unfortunately and perhaps unfairly, collectively dictate its outcome. First, I generally do not like the whole alternative-rock feminism thing. Chicks working through their self-depreciating anger and uniquely female world-frustrations are generally just not my bag. That's not to say that I hate women or that I cannot understand the politics of gender. In fact, I very much respect the issues confronting women and appreciate that some choose to express a little anger at an often male-dominated society through music. Nevertheless, you couldn't pay me to sit through the Lillith Fair, and I've never been a fan of even harder- edged acts like Hole, L7, or the like. The whole "writing the word 'whore' on your abdomen in charcoal" type of alterna-chick punk is really not the kind of music I am looking for. I like metal, and sorry "o, ye enlightened ones," most acts who adopt this "hard-edged" grrrl band aesthetic may be punk, but sure ain't metal.
"If I hear one more chromatic, open "E" pedal- point two-note downtuned groove riff, I really am going to snap for sure." Now, to be fair, Kittie's way more metallic than that last paragraph would suggest. "Spit," for instance, the opener, busts out heavy, and features an alternating clean and Karen Crisis-esque death metal guttural growl which is actually pretty cool (contrast that with the Alanis Morrisette-sounding "Paper Doll" for a good sense of the album's diversity). But I'm just making the requisite due disclosures here, and I'll get to how they relate to Kittie in just a minute.
Prejudice Number Two: I hate Coal Chamber. And anything that sounds like Coal Chamber. Actually, I'm just using Coal Chamber as a metaphor for any late nineties pale-faced hop-arounds who downtune their five- string basses and wear their guitar straps slung down past their kneecaps, along with the waist of their baggy jeans. I am just not into supporting a lot of these bands. Sure, I have weaknesses and irrational deviations from this principle (e.g., I like Machine Head's The Burning Red), but for the most part I am not known to support anything with too many overtly "new-school" tendencies. So many of these bands trot out the same old "groove" riff time and time again. This actually dovetails with Prejudice Number Three: formulaic riffs and questionable musicianship do never a good album make. If I hear one more chromatic, open "E" pedal- point two-note downtuned groove riff, I really am going to snap for sure.
Photos by Cynthia PelznerKittie's got all sorts of riffs like those on Spit. And even on the more up-tempo material, Kittie can't escape the bad "nu-metal" stench which has eternally spoiled me on these riffs and this guitar sound forever. I do like some of the more metallic and perhaps, Sabbath-y riffs, like the chorus to "Johnny," for instance. But I generally do not like simplistic, sloppily-executed and totally predictable riffs and song structures. And, that unfortunately describes a substantial enough portion of Spit to bear noting. Taken together, these factors dictate that Kittie is doomed in this review before I ever even really judge them on their own merits. I admit it.
Getting past all of this is tough. But, when I do, I can recognize that Kittie definitely have some strong points. Some tracks exhibit a fairly metallic aggression and a penchant for a creative attack. Songs like "Trippin'," "Raven," and the dramatic "Immortal" are kinda cool and pretty interesting. The death metal vocal stylings used throughout the album are heavily emoted and deserve special recognition.
"I reserve some kindness for Kittie because they seem to want to be metal, and that goes a long way with me." Mostly, though, I reserve some kindness for Kittie because they seem to want to be metal, and that goes a long way with me. Sure, they were featured on MTV 1515 recently, but they also played the 1999 Milwaukee Metalfest. And, they're playing the Ozzfest this coming summer . . . uh, which way does that cut again? In any event, Kittie are a part of the metal underground because they care to be. Sometimes that's just as important as anything. And so, while Spit is definitely not something I personally will spend much time listening to, I wish Kittie the best of luck and hope that, if they are successfull, they don't forget about us.
Hel's Review:
I often lament that there are not enough of my fellow women involved in the metal scene, and far too many "chicks" who are much less interested in the music than in the guys. You know, the kind of girl who encourages the "show your tits" kind of guy, and makes it hell for the few of us who actually are into the music.
"The vocalist even tries to do death metal vocals. Unfortunately, she doesn't do them all that well."
So, it would seem that four girls in a metal band would have to be into the music. After all, they're playing it, right? I think the members of Kittie like metal. Although they are still novice musicians, they do riff heavily and the vocalist even tries to do death metal vocals. Unfortunately, she doesn't do them all that well. I think she lacks the fierceness needed in her delivery. Her "singing" voice is very nice, but girlie and, on the whole, not what I look for in a metal singer.
Photos by Cynthia PelznerOverall, there is enough heaviness to be interesting, but the music is poorly executed at times. The tunes are catchy, but that's not necessarily a good thing. Their look is trashy, and they certainly don't look like the teenagers they are. However, it is still heavy enough to be fun, and they have a great deal of potential.
If they take some lessons, practice, practice, practice, and make really heavy music, I think they could be a great band. I hope they avoid the temptation of making cheesy metal for the MTV set and continue the trend toward being seriously heavy. I'd like to have a band heavier than Drain, s.t.h. to call my favorite gal metal band - maybe someday I'll come back to Kittie and they will be that.
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