Courtney Love - 'Mono' (Virgin)
2/5
By: Austin Louis Ray
Apparently, Courtney Love has been listening to punk-rock lately. Well, just one play-back of 'Mono', the single from Love's debut album, 'America's Sweetheart', leaves you wondering if she's going to sport a mohawk any time soon. Note the references that range from stereotypical ('three chords in your pocket tonight') to implied toughness ('I slashed his tires/ I bled his brakes') to the downright blatant ('are you, are you the one/with the spark to bring my punk-rock back').
Let's make one thing clear, though. Courtney Love is not punk, despite what she hopes, thinks or attempts through performance. And unfortunately, this song falls flat in its attempt at that spirit of '77. Love's vocals evoke at anything from a female version of Joey Ramone to that of her late-husband, and the grungy, overly distorted guitars do nothing but muddy up the backing.
So, woefully, 'Mono' is not bringing punk-rock back, nor is it doing anything truly special for Love's career. But hey, there are other genres to emulate. Isn't klezmer experiencing revitalization? Hmmm.
Artists in this article: Courtney Love
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