“Eat my used tampon, fuckers,” shouted lead vocalist Donita Sparks to a rowdy crowd during the 1992 Reading Festival, and that unapologetic attitude is reflected in L7’s works, including 1992’s Bricks Are Heavy. A heavier and dirtier album produced by Butch Vig, Bricks is urgent and focused, addressing issues, from plight of girls in mosh pits to music industry shenanigans. There is no doubt that L7 influenced riot grrrl bands that followed, and Bricks Are Heavy is a sometimes forgotten but absolutely smashing full-length from the grunge era. Check out “Pretend We’re Dead,” “Shitlist,” “Everglade,” and “Diet Pill.”

• red vinyl pressing
• music label: Plain Recordings 1992 / 2016

reviewed by rei kwondo 03/2018

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