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Hi Sorry State friends! Hope all is well with you. Things are good on my end. Super excited for Fall, the best time of the year! The weather here in Raleigh has been beautiful this week. You never know, it could be 89 degrees next week, so I’m enjoying the current weather while it’s here. Ok let’s jump in to the music!
My pick this week is The Muse Ascends by Girlsperm. I’ve heard a few gSp songs here and there but never a full album. Being a huge Bikini Kill fan, I was super psyched to hear this, as riot grrrl punk legend Tobi Vail plays drums. She is joined by Marissa Magic and Layla Gibbon, who are no slouches either. The trio has great chemistry and compliment one another very well.
This album definitely has a riot grrrl sound, kind of like if Bratmobile and (Janet-era) Sleater Kinney had a baby, but it’s noisier and more musical. True to form, gSp has the loud bratty vocals that sound like a cheerleader who will burn your house down after the game. However, there is a great interplay of vocal styles between band members if you need a break from being screamed at. A perfect example of this is the fifth track, Not Natural. It’s got this haunting feel to it like they’re casting a spell. It’s not nearly as fast, but still noisy as hell.
Sugarcide is a big standout for me, and it’s the perfect second side opener. Tracks like this really tie in well with the faster and more chaotic songs on the album. You will recognize a familiar sound right away, or you should. It’s the keyboard part of the 1969 hit Sugar, Sugar by The Archie’s. You know the song, right? It goes something like “sugar (do-do-do-do-do-do), ah honey, honey (do-do-do-do-do-do). It’s an infectious groove no doubt, so gSp puts their own twist on the do-do-do part and created a new song around it. It sounds really cool with an interesting mix of sounds.
What Do I Do With My Guitar is probably my other favorite song on the album. Such a great mix of “talk and sing” style vocals with Tobi’s pounding, perfectly timed drums all leading up to the bridge, which is the catchiest part. If I could choose one song to represent the album, this one would be it.
I’ve talked a lot about the vocals, but I think they use their vocals very creatively, as they weave in styles reminiscent of Pixies or the Breeders. It provides some great dimension. Most of the time, the guitar is really high-pitched and twangy, creating a really unique sound that becomes the focal point of the album. The whole record has a very amped up retro surfer rock vibe. Picture Tobi Vail playing a gig at a beach party that they get kicked out of two songs in.
Now don’t be alarmed that the album has a million tracks, as almost all of them hover around one minute. Anyway, give it a try! We have a few left in stock! The Bandcamp album is linked below for your enjoyment.
Thanks for reading! Until next time..
-Angela