Of course, that's not to say there isn't something very poppy about the Hissyfits' sound. A lot of the songs on here are very reminiscent of bands such as the Go-Gos or the Bangles – but for every riff of pop there's also growling bass lines and bone-rattling drums. The trio of Princess (who incidentally is also coolgrrrls resident literary grrrl) Fon-Lin and P-Girl burst out with an energized sound that sledgehammers it's way out of your speakers - causing you to pump your fist and sing along almost instantly. There's a definite anthem quality to the tracks on this record – from the minute Something Wrong wriggles into your ears until Today is the Day provides a reverberating finish that is filled with ear-splitting feedback and gentle harmonies. Come to think of it, just about every tune on here is kind of like that – rough around the edges but cushioned by the velvet touch of femininity.

This is the stuff I would recommend playing at very high volumes after a rough day – the ultimate compliment to your own personal Hissyfit. Or even better, pop it in the tape deck and use it as your driving soundtrack – because after a few rounds of these grrrls' guitar cacophony and haunting vocals you'll feel like you can take on just about anything.

www.topqualityrockandroll.com
www.hissyfits.com

--Special CoolGrrrl Correspondent Jenny Seay