Search - Girl Trouble :: Thrillsphere

A Thrill a Minute

Kathy Fennessy | 02/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Girl Trouble's sophomore release opens with Shel Silverstein's frightfest "Marie LaVeau," which gives some indication as to their lyrical concerns: witchy women, prison bettys, coffee mamas--girl trouble of every kind (the good, the bad & the ugly). The Steve Fisk-produced platter features 12 tracks of hard-charging garage rock likely to appeal to fans of the Cramps, the A-Bones, and the Honeymoon Killers.



If there isn't as much variety as on subsequent releases, nor are there any duds ("Warpath" may be the weakest track, but not weak enough to the sabotage the rest). Standouts include "Bring on the Dancing Girls," "Gotta Get a Little Bit," and "Neko Loves Rock 'n' Roll," a tribute to former Tacoma resident Neko Case, an audience regular who has cited the band as an inspiration on her career.



"When Opposites Attract" was also released as a single (as were bonus tracks "Cleopatra & the Slaves" and "Homework"). Just as "Thrillsphere" opens with a colorful cover song, it closes with another, "Thirteen Women," a gender switch on Ann-Margret's "Thirteen Men," with K.P. blasting away on the saxophone while guitarist Kahuna handles the vocals."