Courtney Love's band Hole released their second album, Live Through This one week after the death of Kurt Cobain, Love's husband and front man for the grunge giant Nirvana. Hole originated in the punk rock scene, but are often identified with the grunge movement due to Love's relationship with Cobain and their move to Washington to write this album.
In addition to frontwoman Love, the band consisted of Eric Erlandson on lead guitar, Kristen Pfaff on bass, and Patty Schemel on drums. Love and Erlandson wrote the songs, and Pfaff and Schemel were newcomers to the group, replacing bassist Jill Emery and drummer Caroline Rue who had left over creative differences.
The album was noted for a toned-down and more melodic approach to things than their debut effort. Themes of the album would revolve around aspects of Courtney Love's personal life, including relationships, motherhood, and post-partum depression. A controversy that plagued the album was that much of the work was ghost-written by Kurt Cobain. Band members and producers have consistently denied this, though it is perhaps understandable how a rumor like this would get legs, following on the heels of Cobain's suicide. The only connection between Cobain and the album was that he sang backing vocals on a couple of songs when they were in the recording studio. In fact, many of the tracks were performed during Hole's previous tour.
While Live Through This is considered more melodic than their previous album, that is a relative measure - the album itself is still quite raw and gritty. That didn't keep it from becoming a critical and popular success, going multi-platinum by December 1994. Unfortunately, drummer Pfaff would not live to see this feat, having died of a heroin overdose in June, just before Hole was supposed to embark on a world tour.
Courtney Love would continue through several iterations of Hole, and pursue songwriting, acting, a writer of multiple manga volumes and a memoir.
Violet
This song is the opening track for the album. It was inspired by Love's relationship with Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, just prior to her relationship with Cobain. Love said this song was "about a jerk, I hexed him, and made him lose his hair."
Miss World
The second track on the album was the first single. It is about a person who is loved by everyone, but is empty inside and drowning in depression. "I'm Miss World. Somebody kill me."
Asking For It
This deeper cut is about rape. Love talked about a time when she would stage dive, and found her clothes ripped off. Love felt like she was raped by the audience. Love's life and upbringing was a tumultuous one, with rebellion, drugs, and broken family relationships.
Doll Parts
The second single from the album is likely the best known one. It reflects her insecurity with Kurt Cobain. Love and Cobain both went into rehab when Love was pregnant. Unfortunately Cobain would run away from the rehab center shortly before his suicide.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Theme from Space Ghost for “Space Ghost Coast to Coast”
This comedy spoof of a late night talk show was the first original series produced by the Cartoon Network.
STAFF PICKS:
“Player's Ball” by OutKast
Brian brings us Southern Rap from Atlanta's own OutKast. The song discusses living in the south and living in the hip hop culture. This is off OutKast's debut album entitled "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik."
“Rocks” by Primal Scream
Bruce's staff pick is off Primal Scream's fourth album "Give Out But Don't Give Up." Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie originally formed this Scottish rock band with a psychedelic sound, but went more classic rock and blues with this album.
“Found Out About You” by the Gin Blossoms
Rob's staff pick features the fourth single from the Gin Blossoms' second album, “New Miserable Experience.” The Gin Blossoms formed in Tempe Arizona in 1987, and were identified as alternative rock and “jangle pop.” The name comes from a picture of W.C. Fields describing his ruddy complexion.
“Because the Night” by 10,000 Maniacs
Wayne's pick features a cover originally performed by The Patti Smith Group from 1978. Natalie Merchant fronts 10,000 Maniacs in an Unplugged version of this classic written by Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
Main Theme from the motion picture “Bad Girls”
This instrumental was the soundtrack from a western featuring Madeliene Stowe, Andie MacDowell, and Drew Barrymore.
Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”
NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.
Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock worthy memes we can share.
Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!
**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
