Greatest Hits 3: For Love Not Lisa, Hole, For Squirrels

Welcome back to another edition of "Greatest Hits"...

For Love Not Lisa's "Information Superdriveway" - Like most of the people I knew, the first time I actually heard this band was when their great song "Slip Slide Melting" appeared on the soundtrack for "The Crow". I remember getting this cassette pretty soon after it came out, based on liking their song on that soundtrack. I wasn't disappointed. I have this whole album on my iPod now and not a week goes by that I don't listen to at least some of it. The band's sound teeters between 90s metal and alternative rock...like a slightly-less heavy Pantera or Helmet. The album flows from start to finish with even the slower socks rocking. Stand-out track include "Kill Whitey", "Set Apart", "Some Afternoon Glitch", and "Triple A"

Hole's "Live Through This" - Say what you will about Courtney Love, but you can't deny the impact her band's sophomore album had on the alternative rock world in 1994. While I haven't been as impressed with Hole's songs over the years, this album is great throughout. As to how much involvement the late Kurt Cobain had with this album's writing and production, well, that's up to the rumor mill. Regardless, this release produced some classic songs such as "Violet", "Miss World", "Asking For It", and "Doll Parts".

For Squirrels' "Example" - When I first heard the single "Mighty K.C." from this band's debut album, I was intrigued. Their sound appealed to me, in the vein of Live and Gin Blossoms. I remember my brother bought me the cassette that Christmas (stuck inside a cassette carrying case for my car) and was pleasantly surprised to hear a solid album, track by track. Some songs, like "8:02 PM" and "Orangeworker" reminded me in sound to their first single, I enjoyed the louder songs like "Superstar" and "Long Live The King" much more. The fast paced guitar work and lead singer Jack Vigliatura's change in tone on those tracks were more reminiscent of Smashing Pumpkins than the previous bands I named. Sadly, a car accident claimed the lives of Vigliatura and their bassist, Bill White, only a month before this cd was released. Guitarist Travis Tooke (taking over lead vocals) and drummer Jack Greigo continued the band with a new bassist as a trio. Eventually, they changed their name to Subrosa and released another cd. However, they ultimately broke up. These guys were able to put out a helluva record, though...sorry they didn't get to do more.

Til next time,
Matthew