Album of the Day

If 1990s grunge brings to mind unshaven guys in thrift-store flannel shirts, L7 will make you think twice; the female foursome rocks as relentlessly as the men on BRICKS ARE HEAVY. The 1992 Slash Records set was the band's third, and though it benefits greatly from the focused production of Butch Vig (then fresh off the success of Nirvana's NEVERMIND), it's the ferocious performances and strong material that make the collection so memorable. Driven by the twin guitar attack of Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner, L7 rages against the machine (“Wargasm”), displays a wicked sense of humor (“Diet Pill”) and flirts with mainstream accessibility (Modern Rock hit “Pretend We're Dead”) across these 11 originals. BRICKS ARE HEAVY is likely L7's best album, and we'll crank it up again to wish bassist Jennifer Finch a happy birthday.