Seminal ’90s feminist punk band Sleater-Kinney have returned after a near ten-year absence with their new albumNo Cities To Love. Usually a break that long would make even a longtime fan give pause, but Sleater-Kinney pull through with a great release.
The sound that garnered them so much respect in the ’90s is still present here, and their musicianship is every bit as rounded and passionate as before. There’s a Fugazi influence, and while noisy, all three members play so tight it feels like there isn’t a single note wasted.
The classic dual guitar sounds of Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein really fill the album out, proving there’s no need for a bass player in the band. No Cities To Love feels like a classic guitar album, with big effects and innovative playing on nearly every song. Highlights include opener ‘Price Tag’, which takes aim at capitalism, and ‘Gimme Love’, a track that really shows off some dominant vocal chops. Closer ‘Fade’ is the slowest track on the record, but still keeps a solid pace and feel.
Sleater-Kinney prove that a ‘comeback album’ doesn’t have to be a dirty word with this true return to form. It’s a record that adds to their legacy, instead of tarnishing it.
4/5.
