Reviews (page 3 of 9)
Lo primero que debo decir es que es un gran álbum de grunge. Tiene todo lo que el género tenía en ese momento. Lo segundo para decir es que tenía todo lo del género en un año cuando ya el género había dado todo eso hace tiempo. Si a eso le sumamos la situación de sonar muchas canciones parecidas a Nirvana, la comparación se vuelve inevitable cuando ya Nirvana hacía 5 años había soltado estos mismos sonidos. Una mierda comparar así, sabiendo todo el trasfondo atrás, pero realmente hay un parecido musical imposible de evitar notar. Aún así, porque banco al género y porque me gustó en lineas generales el album, 7/10
One of those albums I never owned but still manage to know fairly well. While there's all kinds of context people might want to put around it, in the end it's still an extremely good album.
Meilleur que Pearl Jam
Les adultes étaient très en colère quand on était ados. 3.75 étoiles
Veeerrryy fun!!! Loved it
Proper grunge - really liked it
Don't Judge a Book by It's Cover. Whether that's true or not is worth a philosophical digression. Who decides on the cover, anyway? Well, when I saw the album cover, I expected something terrible. Some girl with a thin voice and insipid pop. But no, the album has some punch to it. I think I’ll give it another listen and check out Hole’s other albums as well. 4/5
Pretty good!
3 or 4 absolute bangers of the grunge era. I see a lot of hate directed to her as if she was some sort of 90's Yoko but this album is fucking fantastic. Not quite 5 stars but there aren't a lot of 5 star grunge albums around for me.
Like many others here, I also feel like I didn't give Hole a fair shake. In my case, though, I definitely feel like it was more the fact that I just wasn't into grunge at the time. I still don't think I am, but this was an incredibly strong album.
I understand that Kurt Cobain didn’t ghost write this one, but I hear a lot of grungy influence throughout.
4.5 Hole are great, and deserve more recognition and respect beyond just the cobain association, a really good album and some great songwriting
yup this fucks peak grunge, peak alt rock
They said "Lyle you're a misogynist" "Lyle whens the last time you read a female author" "Lyle this" Well look at that. I gave Hole a 4, that's right. Courtney Love is a fantastic vocalist and great lyricist even if she did kill Kurt. Love the very open and echo-y production. Not gonna pretend I have anything pithy to say about the albums themes of feminine rage. Very good. 3.5-4
Courtney Love is like the best frontwoman ever. So much energy. So unpredictable. I love this album. Kind of the pinnacle of grunge for me. Need to listen to Celebrity Skin still
it's awesome. can't believe i hadn't listened before. i liked when she screamed FUCK YOU!!!!
90s era grunge rock is really something. Favorite track: Doll Parts other picks: violet, miss world, rock star
Solid PNW grunge. Great if you're into that sort of thing.
I think this album is very good. It was ultimately released at a time of a lot male energy but stands out as a very strong female led band and album at that time. Low 4s.
I get why someone would assume Kurt Cobain ghostwrote this. It feels raw, harsh but also vulnerable and authentic. A cool album, but I could not remember any of the songs the next day sadly.
This album isn't a mind blower but it's a bit punkier then the rest of the stuff coming outta the grunge scene. The vocals are fantastic, so raw, aggressive and passionate. Production is crunchy which would have made it steller live
3,8 Highlights: Asking For It, Doll Parts
I was so excited to get a female fronted band I think I over indexed this one a bit. Doesn’t really stand up to the rest of the albums I’ve rated 5 but still a bowl you over piece of music. Maybe I’ll bump it up again in a few months who knows
i think the last track really was what made me "get" this record. it's quite good and pretty consistent throughout, i think i would probably listen to this again
Hard to separate the person from the art, but although she’s completely insufferable and I’m really not sure what she’s contributed musically over the past three decades- this album still rips. I’m not leveling the accusation or contending that it was written but someone else but it certainly does bear the influence of her partner at the time with some Bleach era riffage and lyrical content similar to that that consumes Kurt. That said, she completely sells it on this album. I like it.
On the harder side of pop rock (punk ig). Interesting message and lyrics but not particularly pleasant.
Never given the band a chance because, well, you know. Should have done.
its very neat, you dont usually expect women to sing this kinda genre but im all for the ladies doin whatever they like, you go girlies. sometimes the songs are too rough tho
As good as almost any of us contemporary grunge albums at the time. An album I flirted with but never dived into due to a bit of indifference with the genre. But I'm enjoying this. Raw, visceral and legit.
Big fan of this! My only exposure to Courtney Love has been Kurt Cobain-related slander, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It evoked an Ann Wilson sound, but if she was way more angsty. I’m exactly sure why, but something about it won’t let me rate it a 5. It’s easily a 4.5 though.
This is an album that I've been meaning to listen to ever since Olivia Rodrigo started venturing into a heavier sound and Courtney Love said that she was biting Hole's sound/aesthetic (is she wrong?). I was not disappointed! The first three songs I felt were especially strong. I'll be returning to this one a lot.
Dude I just listened to this for the first time last week and texted my brother the following: “Just listened to Hole for the first time and it turns out I love Courtney Love, who expected that one” For real gang I think Courtney Love might actually be the single most underrated songwriter of all time relative to her standing and reputation in pop culture. The reasons are obvious but unfortunate but like… shit nobody told me this.
Some albums are unpleasant to listen to because they hold a mirror up to society and expose the ugly truths underneath it. This is one of those albums. If the songs weren't so dam catchy and full of killer hooks this could have been a dour record, but Courtney Love takes all of the sexism and wrongs done against her and turns them into songs that you want to belt at the top of your lungs.
One of the best grunge albums of the 90s. Hole were criminally under-rated mostly due to the hate Courtney got.
Fuck yeah! I was already prety familiar with this one, right up my alley. Wouldnt be surprised if Violet is my most listened to song of the year. Edit-Just want to point out after reading some reviews, I am absolutly loving the sheer amount of love this seems to be getting from people.
A good grunge album
Grunge
I had never given this one much thought, but man, this is really good. You can see how she has influenced a generation of female led bands in a very heavy way. Great listen.
Decent, but kinda a bummer given everything else going on at the time. Would pick it up on vinyl if I found a used copy digging in the crates but it's from the "you'll never find a used copy of this in the crates" era. I'm gonna go listen to L7 now, which was much more my shit.
Classic album of the grunge era. The first half is five stars for sure, but fades a bit in the second half (other than the final track, which is also fantastic). Great stuff.
This was better than the previous Hole album, and I gave that a 4/5. Not better in a score sense (it'll still be a 4/5), but better in that this was basically a hard punk album that was pretending to be a grunge album. Really good, high voltage vocal work from Courtney Love, and the guitars were tuned down and angry. Really liked this one!
I owe you an apology Courtney Love, I was unfamiliar with your game.
This was even better than I remembered it
Faves: Plump
A triumph of mainstream alternative rock, crashing and limping through the female experience and the razor's edge existence of 90's culture. Provocative motifs of motherhood, violence, and innocence lost, the songs showcase raw emotion on a spectrum from anger to depression, poking at things in between. Feels like a band that is hitting it's stride and was ready to show the world something; perhaps the world's own twisted preconceptions and the people & things we turn a blind eye to.
Courtney Love’s voice steals the show, which is saying a lot because the instrumentation is often solid on here as well. “Violet” blew me away as an opening track. I can see why she and Kurt Cobain went so well together in at least one aspect: her voice has that same harmonic chainsaw quality to it. She sings with such a sharpness, but still hits every note right where it’s needed. I loved the first part of “Credit In A Straight World”. It was a needed little switch in composition/approach right at the perfect time. Beautiful track sequencing. “She Walks On Me” - holy shit! The ability to turn on the screaming voice mode and then dice right back into more mellow, melodic singing. I’m impressed. Last shoutout is to the closer “Rock Star”, on the ever-relatable feeling of thinking you’re not the same as any other kids in high school. Maybe this was actually true a bit more for Courtney Love. Either way, I too went to a school in Washington and used my taste in music to leverage the angsty ideology that I wasn’t the same as most kids too. Funny. Though this hit me as a 3/5 on first listen, I know that I’ll go back and in my heart of hearts feel like this is more 4/5
Lived through it.
It’s unfortunate that the whole Kurt and Courtney drama and her other personal issues tend to overshadow Hole but this album is great.
I had this band's other album earlier in the project and thought it was pretty meh, so I expect mediocrity from this as well. It's actually a lot better than I would have thought(and Celebrity Skin was). The album is raw, passionate, and angst-filled in that oh-so-early 90s tradition. The lyrics are rage-filled and deeply personal, and the songs are strong alt-rock numbers with clear hooks. The vocals are as passionate as everything else here, and the album as a whole is very angry. It has everything you could expect from a grunge album in spades, and it isn't too polished. It's very of its era, but it encapsulates the spirit of the era perhaps as well as any other album of the era.
Wasn't familiar with Hole. Great lyrics, fantastic guy wrenching vocals and some interesting tunes. Not really my style particularly, but enjoyed regardless.
not bad, liked it more than i thought i would
Fuck this is good.
I think I like this album now more than it was released.
Passed me by a little at the time - had fairly low expectations, but actually really enjoyed
Mega spoko, przesluchalem najwięcej razy ze wszystkich podanych albumów 8,5/10
I needed a view runs to get used to it, but finally I liked it a lot. (Except the screaming on some tracks) favourite: "Doll Parts" 3,5
Banger
No lo conocía. Pura época.
Spotify has just done its annoying thing of starting an album over again once it’s reached the end. Fuck it, this is getting a second whirl. Never gave this the time or respect it deserved when it came out. Violet is one of the best songs of the grunge era.
pewww
This album was released a few days or weeks after Cobain's death and I've always found strange that the title of the album was so strangely foreshadowing of what was to come. Any way, I have memories of listening to this album in a friend's room while discussing all the things teenagers talk about (girls mainly). Nirvana's influence is all around this album but it stands on its own with great songs and Courtney Love screamings. Favorite Songs: Violet ; Doll Parts ; Olympia
Odd I don't have, but there I know and like a few tracks. Its good, poppy grunge, Somewhat samey, but the good ones rise above. 3.5 rounded up Heard before? Some Owned: No 66/267 (24%) Will I get: Yes
I only know the opening track. Courtney Love is a very controversial figure and always has been. To the point where people write off her talent. This opening track is a banger. Looking forward to the rest of the album. I don’t know how she does it but she just teeters at being off-key when she sings. And it brings so much character and emotion to the songs. Ok, I might get pushback on this, but if someone wanted to understand 90’s music. This is the album to start with. It’s brilliant in a way where it sounds like it will fall apart at anytime but yet seems bulletproof.
So Hole - Live Through This Blistering companion to Nirvana's In Utero with Kurt's fingerprints all over it but with Courtney and Kristen's feminine swagger. And, whisper this, Patty Schemel is a puncher and balls out drummer than Dave Grohl. Not a single weak track, although the standouts for me are Violet, Doll Parts, She Walks on Me and Olympia. Perhaps the greatest set of postpartum songs recorded? Not sure how many other albums have that as a major theme though 😂 8.5/10
Oh Courtney love, I can never form a solid opinion on you
Big week for 🪨music
Brilliant ! Loved it !!!
Great Songs: Plump, Jennifer's Body, Credit in the Straight World, Gutless Good Songs: Violet, Miss World, Asking For It, Doll Parts, Softer, Softest, She Walks On Me, I Think That I Would Die, Rock Star Mid Songs: Bad Songs:
This was my first listen of this album and I'm honestly blown away. Definitely a controversial figure, but her music stands strongly and distinctly.
Giving a 4 cause women.
4 stars I love this. So 90s. Angry female energy. It’s great! More of this!
Really great Album, can hear the nirvana influences
Hellllll yeah. Courtney Love is such a good lyrical writer. I can’t help but spaz out when I get to, “I want it again, but violent, more violence / Yeah, I’m the one with no soul / ONE ABOVE AND ONE BELOW!!!!” Ugh, this may be my favorite heroin addict of all time, barring maybe her husband. Doll Parts is also obviously goated similarly, but softer. The contrast between the hard and soft elements in this album is part of what makes it so good.
Do un 4 per premiare il fatto che le hole siano state praticamente le uniche donne a fare grunge, per il resto un album carino ma non speciale per me
rock folk girlie, me gustó no me mato. siento que me puedo encariñar si lo sigo escuchando.
Ugh, ful mam mešane občutke glede Courtney Love. Po en stran je edina probala javno od Weinsteina govorit milijon let prej, po drugi strani je pa clusterfuck od človeka, ki je dokazano večkrat javno lagal o random shitu + to kar sm zjutraj na wiki od tega albuma prebrala, mi je pustil nek grenak priokus - kot prvo je izšel en teden po Kurtovi smrti, kot drugo je Courtney promovirala album na fakin vigilu od Kurta. Da fak. Probejmo bit objektivni. Prvi komad, "Violet", mi je sicer amazing. Unfortunately. V primerjavi s Soundgarden, k je bil zadnji grunge, k sm ga dobila, je tole men severely boljše. I guess pomaga, da je album prežet s tematikami, ki se velikrat tičejo žensk? Ampak niso sam besedila, muska mi je kul.
Great rock album. Courtney Love's vocals are perfect for this music. Really enjoyed this. Violet was my fav song and first listen. Doll Parts and She Walks On Me were my other highlights
A grunge album that does everything I like about the style in a super straightforward manner: it is angry, youthful, energetic, raw, melodic, catchy and rebellious. It is hard to say what element shines the most about this, because I did love both Courtney's voice delivery and the instrumentation, with the two of them contributing incredibly well in the sentimental and frenetic sides. In the more melodic moments, the vocals sing super soothingly and guitars switch to clean or acoustic; and in the powerful moments the voice screams and shows an incredibly amount of attitude while the guitars play some incredibly hard hitting riffs and the tempo is fast. Beyond of all that, there is not really anything more about the record. The composition is very simple but incredibly effective thanks to the incredible performances. Although it sometimes may be too formulaic, like the songs "Doll Parts" and "Softer, Softest" sounding way to similar in therms of structure and melody. Either way, a very fun and great experience.
Great songs throughout this album. Lyrics drip with sarcasm as they lay out many of the negative aspects of the female experience. There's a tinge of punk throughout, musically as well as any time Love releases a guttural yell. There are radio hits scattered throughout, showing that Hole can write a great hook to go with their interesting lyrics and music with an edge. There is a little bit of filler on a fairly short album, preventing it from getting a full five stars, but excellent nonetheless.
Impressive.
Un disco muy guay, con una energía que se desborda. El tipo de disco que me hubiera impactado fuerte de haberlo descubierto en la adolescencia.
I grew up during the grunge-postgrunge era and wasnt familiar with Hole until Celebrity Skin, which was a hit, but got overplayed very quickly. Only heard the singles from this album over the years and listened to it for the first time now. This much better than I expected. It reminds me more of the Pixies than other grungy counter parts. Jennifer's Body is great, Doll Parts is a classic, Credit in the Staright World is fun, starts hard, ends hard. Might have to revisit other Hole albums to find anything i missed throughout the years.
enjoyed this a lot 4 stars
This album is a solid entry from the 90s. Raw, unfiltered, angry, great music.
Back in the 90’s I wasn’t a fan of Hole, but I was doing myself a disservice. The music is good. Singing too. My only gripe is when she screams her vocals. That’s the only part of this I’m not a fan of.
cool
cunt
Okay, so I used to have this weird thing against this album and band as a whole, mostly because Courtney Love is such a complicated figure. So I wasn't a Hole fan, but hearing Celebrity Skin made me rethink things. Live Through This came out so soon after Kurt Cobain died, it was impossible to separate the music from all the tabloid garbage. For a long time, I let all those dumb rumors about ghostwriters and copying Nirvana keep me from even listening. Big mistake. This is a wild record that's both a creepy time capsule and still sounds amazing. It proves Love's music is totally her own. From the super angry "Violet" to the super vulnerable "Doll Parts", the album captures how complicated it is to be a woman, with a loud-quiet-loud thing that still slaps hard. The band is tight, especially Kristen Pfaff's bass and Patty Schemel's drums, it's melodic and rough at the same time. It's a must have grunge record from the 90s that's still holding up... It's a feminist rock masterpiece that perfectly nails a certain kind of anger.
I really enjoyed this. I like how it balanced the melodic based songs with the more grungy and punk energy. The themes it explores like female rage and body image are things I’ve never really heard discussed in punk so that was refreshing. As polarising as she may be, I think Courtney Love is a great lead and brings a real attitude and presence to the songs. This was great.
I thought underrated at release, good album.
this album is why I love this process. I missed this album when it first came out. I loved it. Courtney Love has such raw energy.
Listening session: march 25th, while commuting to internship Listened to before: heard a few songs before Thoughts: soooo I actually love feminist grunge/rock even more than I thought and this album was a really pleasant surprise in the early morning, so I think I will be revisiting this album soon Favourite tracks: Violet, Doll Parts & She Walks On Me
One of the strongest grunge records of the 90s. Overhated because of Courney Love's antics, but the music speaks for itself. Violet and Doll Parts are all-timers. 8/10
Love this band. Not my favorite album of theirs, but overall a great listen.
My favourite album by them - perfect grunge
Enjoyed this a lot more than the previous Hole record we've had on here. Powerful lyricism and a sense of raw power which I found missing on the other album. Highlights for me include 'Asking for It' and 'Doll Parts'.
7/10
- Very much like Nirvana - Love the lyrics, vocals are great - Fairly melodic - Liked ‘Jennifer’s Body’ and ‘Rock Star’
Attitudeee
This is a great 90's alternative rock album. Strong from start to finish, with a handful of standout tracks like “Violet,” “Miss World,” and “Doll Parts.”
Wasn’t expecting to enjoying this album as much as I did! Very of its time, but it works. Favourite track: Jennifer’s Body
Courtney Love had already been through the wringer in the early 90s, including a short period where child welfare removed her baby after a magazine firestorm, and then the album comes out basically a week after Kurt Cobain died. You can hear all of that pressure and anger baked into the performances, and it gives the album real weight instead of just attitude. The songs are sharp, loud, and catchy in that raw way where it feels like everything is about to fall apart, but it never does. Solid grunge/post-grunge album. Favorite song: Plump
album dobry, sporo bangerów, violet najlepsze, pzdr
歌い上げている感じが聞いていて気持ちいい。
Really liked this one. Angry and noisy but with enough melody to keep me interested. I liked how raw her voice was, I think it worked with the intensity of the songs. Fav song: Doll Parts Least fav: Gutless
I love an angry woman album. There's some stunning feminist anthems on this album and I wish I'd heard it sooner. Think it could do with a little less milk chat, and sometimes I find her voice a little too rough to fully enjoy the songs. Favourite song: Doll Parts (also love Jennifer's Body- never knew the film was named after a song!) Least: Softer, Softest
lowkey enjoyed this more any nirvana project. not that this really sounds like nirvana, but everyone associates them with them. super dope
Some pretty good songs in there. I like the ones where Courtney is less shouty the best. Some good guitar and drum work throughout. I think this one will grow on me with repeated plays therefore rounding up from 3.5 to 4.
I had never heard any of Courtney Love's songs before but I really liked this one. Never realized the movie Jennifer's Body was a reference to this album. Pretty cool.
It was fun. I liked it
youthful anger, energy
gutless tiene un riff cochinazo me gusta como suena el bajo awante courtney amor
It's so beautifully gritty and aggressive that I find it hard to dislike despite often feeling like barely more than a wall of noise. The lyrics are quite strong (when I could make them out).
Anything Courtney related is sure to attract a level of irrational hatred. She's the Yoko of Gen X, which is to say an immensely talented and complex woman who was dismissed as some real life succubus because of misogyny and Stan-dom. Meanwhile, Love Through This is every bit as good as Nevermind. Yeah, I said it. Which is to say that Nevermind is slightly overrated (but great) and Live Through This is underrated and unfairly painted as the work of Kurt, which has been thoroughly disputed by everyone involved in making the record
cool album, like Hole back then, still like them now. Even if I never listened to an album before
Pretty cool stuff, actually.
Good
Courtney Love did anything & everything in her power to get famous & it shows. Courtney Love is that skanky twat that just wanna hate but you can't because she's just talented. Now whether or not she surrounded her self with talented people (Kurt Cobain or Billy Corrigan) is another story. Which brings me back to my first point: ANYTHING to get famous. That's Courtney Love. PS Today would've been Kurt Cobain's birthday. Sometimes this isn't so random, is it?
I loved this album. It’s not a masterpiece for me but I was really taken aback by how solid this whole thing is. It’s distinctly grunge but its own thing almost entirely. Courtney Loves vocals are incredible and can fully see why they were the grunge it couple. My only complaint is the album stated to wain in quality towards the closing but that could just be fatigue on my end. Great album, would recommend!
This is pretty awesome
Violet is such a song to start this album with. I was never really into Grunge at the time, but this album and L7 really stuck with me at the time, and listening to it again after all these years it is still as strong as it was then. I think Courtney Love got a lot of criticism that she was riding the coat tails of Kurt Cobain, but this is proof that she was not. I prefer this to any Nirvana album personally. 4 stars
LAUVE
First time listening to Hole, loved it
A great album, distinct songs of a piece and they go hard. Her voice is good for the songs but does get to be a bit much by the end, the only thing keeping me from giving a 5.
There are very few holes in this album.
Pretty good. A few songs on here are great and still sound really good. A few songs haven’t aged as well and seem a little stale.
A perfect grunge album.
Really very good.
god this was angsty
GOOO ON TAKE EVERYTHING, TAKE EVERYTHING, I WANT YOU TO If you like this do yourself a favour and check out Fontanelle by Babes in Toyland
This fuckin' rips. Maybe a hot take but it's at least as good as anything Nirvana made. Must-listen #296.
Makes me think of something my mom would listen to back in her day. (It does kinda check out with the releasedate of the album)
Good stuff, nothing much to note
Really good ! 3.75/5
Damn this was great.
For all the shit society gave her and the junk she shot up, we forget how fucking cool Courtney Love was and her absolute powerhouse voice. Sure Celebrity Skin was a better reflection of her pop range but she's screaming here with some of the absolute all time grunge greats. This is a Mudhoney record with a deep sense of pain and hurt wrapped inside, and while a bit of it is petty, there's a lot of it that is incredibly powerful.
I feel this album is a tad overrated in the grand scheme of things but still a really fun listen. First half of this album I find to be strong. In between a 3 and a 4 for me.
Great work throughout. Hole in a new light but still brilliant.
There are several good songs and some clunkers. Love's more of a presence than a singer, but the overall sound is good. Miss World was a hit but I do not care for it. Violet, Jennifer's Body and Doll Parts are good.
Me: “Murderers can’t make good music” Hole: Live Through This Me: :0
Surprisingly good, and kudos to the restraint in making a 38 minute album in the age of the compact disc. Why add filler when it's usually just garbage.
This was cool. Quiet loud thing but woman. Certainly a good album
A lot of people shit on Courtney Love for her lackluster singing voice and association with Kurt Cobain, but I have always liked Hole and I think her voice fits the vibe perfectly. This album is slots in right in between the more "sophisticated" grunge of the 90's and it's more punk and hardcore past. Love's voice is gravelly and uncoordinated and it matches the recording style and unfiltered guitars just right. The songwriting isn't particularly captivating but it's aggressive without being washed out and angry all the time. Violet is the pick of the bunch for me, but I enjoy all of it for its own reasons. I think Rock Star is a perfect finisher for it and it's even more perfect for a kid listening to it at the time. The nostalgia is very present for me in this album, so it's with a bias that I rate it so highly. It's still good though, and I think Hole deserves their place among the great 90's bands.
OK I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did!
This is #day535 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… I'll admit I've never really been a fan of Courtney Love. Live Through This, however, is a case in point of '90s alternative rock, grunge, and punk, and that's what matters. Knowing that Love was listening to The Breeders, Pixies, the Bunnymen, and Joy Division while making this record kind of says it all. The whole affair is melodic, tight, and agonizing. A cover of Young Marble Giants' song turned out to be a nice surprise. "I Think That I Would Die" is my favorite here. This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day536.
Very good. Enjoyable 90s grunge. Some belters on here.
Great album that for the longest time resisted taking an interest in. Vocals are good, guitars are fuzzy and the songs are well written
really good! sounds great and lyrics hit hard, it's such a nice mix
Phenomenal album
Lots to like about shouty albums by women
She is an icon. She is the moment.
The Good: We will be able to live through this, or so we are told! The Bad: We aren’t explained what “this” is… The Ugly: What if this is getting a hole perforated somewhere where we don’t like there to be a hole??? Courtney… she is such an angry lady… should we offer to give her a hug? I had the unfortunate surprise to find another Hole album to be on this list, which I gave a 3… in retrospect, that album is borderline 2. Yet here, in the early ‘90s, Live Through This is a perfect example of the angsty music which was starting to take over the landscape. I can’t say that I am not enjoying the experience, even if I still am a person who can’t stand Courtney and her attention-seeking-shit… Kudo’s for this album, and kudo’s for getting over your hubby blowing his head off… I guess you lived through it! 4*
Decent album. I think I prefer the album with Celebrity Skin though, which I think is not the popular opinion. 3.5/5
Yesssss
Glad I listened to this finally. It’s really good and I think she’s a great frontwoman, imo heaps better than many of the male fronted grunge bands. I think as with all ‘grunge’ to some extent, it’s rooted in punk and hardcore, but also has very heavy pop influences. This is certainly the case for this album, but I think the pop aspects positively affect it. Obviously this album will always be linked with Kurt Cobain’s death at a similar time, and I guess it’s quite sad to read into some of her lyrics about their faltering relationship, knowing what would happen. Guitars are brilliant, very well produced. And these songs are also really dynamic, there’s loads of bits where it’s just acoustic guitar. I feel like some of singing can be a bit jarring, but it doesn’t really bother me that much. Favourite songs: violet, Miss world, plump, Jennifer’s body, doll parts, credit in the straight world, softer, softest, gutless, rock star. Overall around 8/10
This was my first proper listen to Live Through This by Hole, and I was genuinely looking forward to it. I wasn’t expecting it to be this good. The album is raw, loud, and full of attitude, but it’s also packed with really strong, catchy songs. There’s a proper energy running through it from start to finish – it moves quickly, never hangs about, and feels exciting the whole way through. Punky, messy, and melodic in the best possible way. I loved it and I’ll definitely be coming back to this one. Favourite tracks: Doll Parts, Rock Star, and Softer, Softest are all cracking songs and really stand out. Least favourite tracks: There isn’t a bad track here – and even if there was, it would be over in two minutes and you’d be straight onto the next one. Album artwork: Great album cover – iconic and suits the record perfectly.
Violet - 5/5 Miss World - 4/5 Plump - 4/5 Asking For It - 4.5/5 Jennifer's Body - 4.5/5 Doll Parts - 4/5 Credit In The Straight World - 4.5/5 Softer, Softest - 4/5 She Walks On Me - 4.5/5 I Think That I Would Die - 3/5 Gutless - 4/5 Rock Star - 4/5
For as complicated a character as Courtney Love seems to be, she does, quite simply, rock. Haven't really listened to Hole too much before getting into this list but I'm just about ready to classify myself as a passing fan.
So strange that we got both this and Celebrity Skin in the first 100 albums. I'm not complaining though, I think Live Through This is awesome. This follows the quiet-loud-quiet formula laid out by Pixies and adapted by nearly every alt-rock/grunge band worth their salt to a T. Love's voice is great; it cuts and grinds against the shredding guitars and angular jagged choruses in harsher tracks like opener Violet but then you've got stuff like the Credit in the Straight World cover which is such an excellent version of the YMG original. It extracts the marrow from the song, taking its hook and driving bass structure while exploding its introspection into this assertive, confrontantial song. An excellent riotgrrl/grunge reinterpretation of an evasive post-punk classic. The ear for hooks works it way over to songs like Miss World, Jennifer's Body, Plump, which all have killer riffs. Always dug the closer Rock Star too - I'm weak to that stop-and-start take. For my money, the album's greatest moment is in I Think That I Would Die when Love's voice rolls up and down on the "Rose white, Rose red" bridge like she's caught on a wave. Hypnotic. Favorite Tracks: Miss World, Plump, Jennifer's Body, Credit in the Straight World, I Think That I Would Die, Rock Star.
3.5
Hole’s debut album Pretty On The Inside wasn’t great - it was just too relentlessly antagonistic. Courtney Love was pissed off, we got it, but art needs more than that to make an impact. The follow-up, Live Through This, channelled the anger into proper songs with proper hooks and was all the better for it. Love pretty much reinvented the band, retaining only guitarist Eric Erlandson from the previous line-up and upping the production values - and for all its snarly attitude and loud guitars, Live Through This sounds great. Turn it up and it pops out of the speakers, giving those hooks every chance to catch. Highlights include opener Violet (shouty and angry), Miss World (angry and nihilistic) and Doll Parts (nihilistic and fatalistic) – which probably limits its audience, but Love was an important voice at the time, and this album is one of the best ways to reconnect with it. 8/10
Great grungy feel
oh kurt if you know that courtney was shamed like this what would you say. would you feel sorry for the tabloids making up the rumours as she is a great musician and you indeed love her 4/5
This band sounds so cool and Love has a great grunge voice. I like this album a lot. The production is also very crisp which I like.
Raw and powerful.
way more rock-metal than I thought
fjckjn FIRE
I just know I would've loved this as a teenager
This is a very angry chick
Re-listened on 4/16: 3 -> 4 This album has such a strong and cohesive sound, and it has a cathartic energy. Thematically too, the album is very powerful and important. It’s not for everyone, but it hits so hard in the moments it needs to. Love is a genius lyrically and doesn’t hold back here at all. You know who she is and what she stands for in these songs. It’s not perfect but the emotion is unmatched. Top Songs: Doll Parts, Softer, Softest, Violet, Plump, I Think That I Would Die
I can’t get behind the emerging hot take that this is better than Nevermind. I listened to both with an open mind. I tried. But it’s a fantastic rock record and Courtney Love is a force of nature.
I enjoyed it! I’m pretty sure this is one of the albums that inspired Olivia Rodrigo that little Mexican girl that be crying
Hole is actually pretty solid.
Criminally underrated album. When talking about grunge itbis oft left out, but it is an important part of that conversation. And better than anything Alice In Chains ever did.
Really enjoyed. Solid rock
3.5
Discovering 90s grunge in my 30s is wild. Painfully emotional lyrics capturing womanhood. Who knew courtney love.
Fantastic album
first listen i'm a simple man i like angry girl music
I think I liked it more than I thought. It holds together pretty well in the end. At first I thought it was running out of ideas a bit after the first 5 tracks but on repeat listens it's still entertaining. It's not the best thing ever but it's made me curious enough to try again.
Yesterday, I was talking about 1990s albums, and Courtney Love, so the 1001 Albums Generator gods presented this, and I liked it so much more than I thought I would. I felt like an edgy teenager again. In other news, my grandpa died today. At least he lived a good, long life. The angst in this album is how I felt today, even though his soul is thriving in a much better place than the Pale Blue Dot. Favorite Track: "Violet".
Some welcome grunge and a fantastic album to boot
Pretty good
Courtney Love. Great album. -1 for Kurt. 4/5
There are a couple of true gems on this album (Doll Parts, Violet) and some that feel a bit like generic anger. But female anger needs space to be expressed and this sounds like freedom in that way. So while not perfect, this album always hold a special place in my heart.
Rumours abound and sledging is rife, Was this really written by his wife? Until today I had listening delayed, Despite copies hanging in all stores portrayed. ……. It’s hard for women to get credit in the real world, But this album is bejewelled and often pearled, And after two listens my decision is final, Rumours be damned, I will get it on vinyl.
Pretty cool
Great rock record. Controversial opinion I don't think Kurt Wrote it.
Nice and punk, sounds very 90s. Second song sounds quite Nirvana like which isn't surprising. It's pretty good but I don't see myself listening to it again. Listening to this I want to hear their harder sounds (as this apparently their softer albums). I feel like those may resonate more with me. "She walks on me" confirms that I'd probably love that even more
Grunge, rock, tutto. Potente ed incazzato, mi piace.
It’s good. More like 3.5 stars, but I like it.
Solid album. Standout songs: Miss World Gutless She Walks on Me
Angery
Really enjoyed - not as good as Celebrity Skin for my money - but still a great listen and far better than majority of their contemporaries.
More entertaining than I was expecting. Classic Grunge with some good melodies going on.
Interesting. I remember listening to Celebrity Skin a lot but missed this one. Yay this is awesome. So much part and parcel of the punkish indie rock of its time. This is in the same vein as the pixies, L7, mid career Sonic Youth. It’s noisy chaotic and beautiful. Also it doesn’t like it’s something that’s just a copy cat of that scene it sounds like a living part of creating this sound. If, like me, you only ever heard Celebrity Skin and felt that was some watered down grunge for the masses… this ain’t it. It’s abrasive punk with a lot of rage and the talent to express it via music. Also very biting feminist lyrics that literally scream at you and very interesting sludge metal influences. Four stars.
good rock/grunge
IMHO as someone who grew up in Washington state, this album is underrated. It's both a major influence in the grrrrl rock movement, and a really good grunge record. I think it speaks for many women of a certain age and the realization that society has unrealistic visions for what they should be as "young ladies". Courtney Love is a bit of a polarizing figure but I appreciate that she frequently says exactly what she thinks, a rarity in the rock world.
Good stuff
You can definitely hear the similarities between Hole and Nirvana, though who influenced whom is up for debate. I love Love's vocal timbre – it's absolutely perfect for the mood and lyrics of each and every song. From the opener, Violet, we hear the anguish, the strain, the anger that you always hope to get from an alternative rock band. And yet it manages to avoid being overblown, maintaining a pretty tasteful musicality. The same cannot be said for other sub-branches of rock like post-punk and death metal. She Walks On Me is probably the closest Hole gets to these more experimental genres, what with its filtered vocal, guitar distortion, and fast, angry rhythm. Credit In The Straight World is also a standout, musically, though it's hard to tell why. It has an unconventional opening sections that's mostly echoed vocals, and it's very cool. Exotic, almost. On the other hand, the songs Plump and Jennifer's Body are excellent examples of keeping this balance between (radio-)friendliness and harshness, and they're two of my favourites for that reason. The lyrical themes in this album are pretty frustrating (or maybe "harrowing" is a better word) to listen to in 2025. It feels like nothing has changed in 31 years. There still has to be an active push against misogyny, body shaming, and societal standards to keep people safe. (And, in some places, it's gotten significantly worse since the 90s.) "Every time that I stare into the sun / Angel dust, and my dress just comes undone / And every time that I stare into the sun / Be a model or just look like one / Wild-eyed, rot gut, do me in / Do you think you can make me do it again?" Damn. I know there's plenty of similar themes being expressed in music nowadays, but that music isn't gaining as much traction as it did in the 90s. The main thing stopping this from reaching 5 stars is that none of the songs are particularly catchy or obviously "hits". 4/5 Key tracks: Violet, Jennifer's Body, Doll Parts
Great stuff. Underrated.
One of those albums where the most famous tracks are actually the weaker ones
I think this is a pretty great record. Not 5 stars great but really very good. I think it helps that this actually kind of is my thing this grungy sound and raw expression. It also still has a bit of that pop sensibility that the best ‘grunge’ always brought tot he table. I think their next record Celebrity Skin had bigger hits and was better in that sense but this is the real deal - broken people making heartfelt music that expresses their life experience.
It's pretty good. 3.75 stars.
8/10
Violet 4.3 Miss World 3.7 Plump 3.6 Asking for It 3.8 Jennifer's Body 3.9 Doll Parts 4 Credit in the Straight World 3.5 Softer, Softest 3.7 She Walks on Me 3.6 I Think That I Would Die 3.8 Gutless 3.7 Rock Star (Olympia) 3.7 Score: 3.775
Screaming
I despise Courtney Love but can’t deny this album. Violet is a great grunge song
Waiter, waiter! More furious 90s female artists please! Love’s excellent songwriting ability makes this feel like a 38 minute tumultuous therapy session, being both thoroughly personal and accessible. It was bizarre to read that there was a rumour that Kurt Cobain was a ghostwriter for this album, they’re both grunge acts but Love’s lyricism is a lot more pointed and less word salad-y than Cobain’s. Without addressing the elephant in the room, this is a killer album. Highlights: Violet, Asking for It, Doll Parts, Gutless
Better than I though it was
Strong 3,5
good energy Will I listen to again: 95%
Really enjoyed this one, better than I was expecting.
Sort of dismissed Hole back in the day, so good to re listen now. The songwriting is really strong and there are some great songs on here, Violet and Doll Parts are the obvious examples. A great energy and balance is evident, with only Love’s shrieking vocals the real downside.
Good if not really for me, I kinda preferred the poppier sound of the other Hole album, much to my shame.
yeah, a solid grunge album with super fucking awesome cover
an album that ironically was intended to be less noise focused and more pop-centric, Hole's 1993 album that was released a week after lead singer Courtney Love's husband, Kurt Cobain, committed suicide, tried to lean into melody while still maintain hardcore sensibilities. In her words, she was very competitive with Kurt.
First time listening to this album. Pleasantly surprised. Raw, powerful.
I want to hate this record but I actually really like it
Boy, she was something else.
I’ve always felt Hole received more hate than they deserved. Courtney Love in particular has long been treated as a lightning rod, often overshadowed by gossip and controversy rather than taken seriously as a musician. But Live Through This makes the case that Hole was never just hype or tabloid fodder - they were a genuinely great band. This record feels like the culmination of their early energy, sharpened into something both raw and strangely polished. The guitars are abrasive yet hook-filled, the choruses stick in your head, and Love’s voice vacillates between a sneer and a scream. You can hear the band’s growth from Pretty on the Inside that they’ve kept the fury but refined it into songs that cut deeper. What really stands out, though, is the perspective. This isn’t just an album about being angry at an ex or railing against the system in the abstract. It’s a scorned woman album, but the scorn is directed at society itself - it is targeted at the way women are looked at, diminished, commodified, and silenced. Songs like “Violet” and “Miss World” take direct aim at the contradictions of femininity under a male gaze, while “Doll Parts” is almost unbearably vulnerable, as if Love is peeling back the armor to reveal the insecurity underneath. It’s easy to see how many modern female alternative and indie musicians owe something to Hole. You can hear echoes of Live Through This in everyone from Mitski to Wolf Alice to Olivia Rodrigo when she leans into distortion. The combination of unflinching honesty, jagged guitars, and the refusal to soften rage for palatability paved the way for a whole generation. Nearly thirty years later, Live Through This holds up not just as a relic of the 1990s alternative boom, but as one of its most essential documents. It’s an album that’s as confrontational as it is catchy, as painful as it is cathartic. And it proves that the dismissals Hole received at the time say more about how we treat outspoken women than about the music itself.
Great album. Haven't listened to much of them, but might have to check out the rest now. 4/5
this was a surprisingly solid album and i'm really glad i listened to it! i knew the radio hits from HOLE before but had never dove into a full album. doven? dived? doved? why do none of those feel right? anyway, i had mostly just thought of courtney love as kurt cobain's crazy trashy druggie girlfriend... and i still do but now i know that she also very skillfully pulls her own weight as a grunge singer and songwriter. i really enjoyed the lyrics and appreciate that she wasn't afraid to get into some pretty dark themes. standout tracks for me were "jennifer's body" (which was the inspiration for the name of the film!) and "rock star". i would play this album while fighting the patriarchy! or finally standing up to the bully on the school bus that's been stealing my snacks and lunch money all year. that's MY fruit by the foot ROGER and today's the day I'M gonna eat it NOT YOU DO YOU HEAR ME!? I'VE HAD ENOUGH!!
The music press did Courtney Love so dirty in the 1990s. This album holds up really well - it’s angry and grungy but it also has tunes.
Good album with some great songs. It did fall off about half way through for me.
4/5 meow meow this is nice
Good in-your-face, unapologetic rock. Not pretty per se, but a really fun listen.
I'm not a huge fan of Grunge in general, and I actually think Nirvana is HUGELY overrated. That said I have to admit that I enjoyed this album a lot more than I thought I was going to - at the very least it has a distinct sound and the songs are remarkable on their own.
Good. Grungy as expected. I hadn’t listened to this album in at least 10-15 years. Way better than I expected. The songs I like the best sound a lot like Nirvana. No surprise there.
I like grunge ladies singing, growling, and yelling about things I relate to.
It's really a classic and a mirror for the times it was created in.
Raw and hard but better than the first as it is more refined and enjoyable. Even thou it disnt have a major hit like the first album its a much better one. Most underrated 90s band and it was cause other than its girls and the USA is a patriarchal society and the kurt courtney marrige where you had to choose sides
I'd only heard a couple Hole songs before, I'd never really listened, but I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed it. I'd listen to this again for sure.
Courtney Love's absolute peak. Good music, good lyrics. Some dispute about how much input Kurt Cobain had on the album but one can only assume that their personal and professional lives weren't THAT separated even if he had not direct hand in the writing or production
Screaming girl teen rock. Despite this, I'm a fan.
This was way better than I expected. There's a lot of good angst and anger, especially in Violet. Hard not to be that common review and say, man you can hear some Nirvana in this, but you can, and that's not a bad thing. I don't think you need two albums by Hole on the list, but I'd agree you should have this one.
Good raucous rock, good vocalist- I liked most of it.
i liked it with two headphones
Nostalgia of my 20's hit me like a brick
A second Hole.... album. Look, I'm not going to speculate on whether or not Kurt Cobain helped write these songs. What I _CAN_ say for certain is there is a definite Nirvana-like sound to this album. It's not a bad thing, Love is able to walk a tightrope between Nirvana and punk in a lot of the songs. I would have liked to have heard this first before "Celebrity Skin," but that's not how things went. As it is, I dug it a lot. Tracks: "Violet," "Doll Parts," "Credit In The Straight World," "Gutless"
Well that didn't take long. 5 albums ago I asked whether we would see this album on the 1,001 list and yep. A recap - I think it is Hole's best album even if Celebrity Skin is their best song. Their debut Pretty on the Inside is rough but promising, fitting for 1991 and the grunge explosion. But those who exploded in 1991 had their stuff together. Hole got their stuff together here, 3 years later in the greatest year of grunge/alternative music. By 1998 and their last album, they were not quite as sharp but still solid (just like all of alternative rock). This album's first three singles are smashes - Violet (so angsty!), Miss World (their best song on this album), and Doll Parts (brooding). Their fourth single Softer, Softest is just that - soft - but it's solid. They have a bunch of absolute rockers in the non-singles - Plump (electric chords and drums), Jennifer's Body, and Rock Star (underrated). Asking for It and Credit in the Straight World are also pretty solid - great lyrics both of them. I don't think this album is a 5 but it's an easy 4.
Like many albums in the 1001, I had preconceived notions about this one, but I'm trying to listen to everything with an open mind. I start by listening primarily as background music and it fit all my preconceptions: Courtney Love sounds like either she can't sing or she doesn't want to be bothered. When she puts more anger into it, it sounds like she's trying to barf out the words. The music is just typical grunge and there are better bands to listen to. I was drafting a review and figured it would be a 2. On close listen, though, paying attention to the lyrics, I found it's a much more powerful album than I thought. Couple the lyrics with her singing style and suddenly it works. She also becomes a lot more sympathetic - you realize maybe, just maybe, you're focused on the press version of her, and maybe not the real her, and damn she's been through a lot. I have no idea if any of that is accurate, but the singing style and music work much better when you realize what she's singing. The album grew on me with each listen and I definitely appreciate Hole and Courtney Love more than I did before. Favorite tracks: Violet, Asking for it, Jennifer's Body, Doll Parts, She Walks on Me, Rock Star (Olympia).
Live Through This is a classic album, not because of all the news about Kurt Cobain's death, but because it is a solid grunge project that Courtney really put herself into. There is so much great stuff to talk about here, but I need to just vent some things out first for anyone who needs to hear this. Just because this album was released not even a week after Kurt was confirmed dead is not a Courtney Love problem, that is a label problem, and anyone who thinks she "killed Kurt" can just get the fuck out of here. That is you not being able to cope with the alarming amount of mental health problems the world has and instead taking it out in a misogynistic rage on a woman who has done no wrong. Call them toxic or whatever the fuck you want, I wasn't there and didn't know them, but there are facts out there saying what did and didn't happen, so stop pointing fingers because you didn't like how history turned out. One thing I will say is that it is very hard to not imagine Kurt having at least a few touches in this album whether it is with Courtney's vocal sound or with how the project came together in the end. This album has a much better cohesiveness and quality to it that makes each song meaningful unalike their very fine debut. It rips through the 38 minute runtime like a knife through butter and it never holds back. It's angsty but in a different way from the most male dominated genre of Grunge, it has a lot of empowerment behind it while also being a fresh new experience for all to enjoy. Live Through This is an improvement like no other, and it cemented Courtney Love as an icon in my eyes, regardless of the circumstances happening around this album's release.
Real grunge. Can definitely feel Nirvana's influence on this album. Violet, Jennifer's Body and Credit In The Straight World are my favorite songs on the album.
I think I need to give this album more time cuz it was amazing and I know it was amazing but I’m not sure exactly why I liked it. Regardless, impeccable album I may regret only giving a 4.
Female led alt rock, very cool.
Ok, this is great - I first knew Courtney Love as a punchline, but the sort of industry and social forces which made her one are on full display in the lyrics to this great rock album. Not a million miles off of Manic Street Preachers... Favourite tracks: Violet, Asking For It, Jennifer's Body, Doll Parts, I Think That I Would Die
I must admit to having a few hangups about this album prior to to listening to it, based on my memory and experience of the early 90's and appetite for Nirvana. I was ready to hate this album (again) but instead found myself loving its energy and although it sounded very much like another version of Nirvana, I totally appreciate the difference now (something I didn't, back in the day).
I really love a couple of songs on the this album (Violet and Doll Parts). If I was just rating this on the musical experience of the album I would probably give this a 3, but I think you already know that I'm not someone who can take music or musicians out of context. I really love the 90s grunge scene and Hole is an important part of that story, so its an extra star from me today (given that the lead singers husband died tragically a week before its release, and the bass player 2 months after - I can only begin to imagine how hard this time was for the band) I wrote a hole (see what I did there) thing about Courtney Love and deleted it - because it’s complicated. So I’ll just say I think Courtney’s had a rough time of it, and most of that seems pretty unfair, and some of it she’s brought on herself - but I admire (mostly) her courage in a world not made for women who are loud.
I really like this. All I remember growing up was hear people tear Courtney Love down, which sucks cuz this is fun music. Especially for a leading female singer to come on this abrasive is just cool
I’m surprised by how much I like this. Never listened to Courtney Love but she absolutely kills it. Angsty and powerful, some great songs here.
Funky
Great album, amazing vocals, and knowing it comes after Courtney Loves tumultuous life came to a head just days prior to its release adds so much depth to this.
LOVE Hole, what a banger of an album. Highlights: She Walks On Me, Asking For It, Violet
The queen of Grunge - Courtney Love! So good! I love her voice Fav songs: Miss World, Violet, Plump
good songs
At first this sorta washed over me like a 3 would, but I decided to relisten later when I was feeling less tired and it's pretty good! Some nice gritty stuff in here, I like it.
Carrying on from yesterday, this time instead of slacker rock we have a great package of 90s alt/grunge, fronted by Courtney Love. Great stuff and killer vocals!
Very important album. I think all the best grunge was performed by women. If this album kept up the steam of the first 3 or so tracks it would be an easy 5 for me, but even though it slows down I am always surprised how much I enjoy it.
Irgendwie schon stark und kraftvoll verrückt. Und ich gehöre zu den Menschen, die ihr nicht allzu viel unterstellen 😀
Never really been aware of Hole before, though I apparently have heard Celebrity Skin before, but I will give them more of a listen after this. Good stuff
I actually quite like grunge when women are involved. Don't know what that says but it's an interesting observation isn't it?
Really enjoyed - not as good as Celebrity Skin for my money - but still a great listen and far better than majority of their contemporaries.
One of my favorite records from back in the early 90's. But what I remember this is the time that Brit Pop was just starting to make its way with music in Britain, countering the dirty rough music America was putting out. At the time this sounded raw and inspired and now looking back and contrasting it against bands like Suede, Elastica, Blur, Oasis, and even Radiohead to some extent. Those were heady times!
I think there was a lot of inspiration drawn for this album, but Courtney definitely did a great album to distinguish herself as a talented individual in her own rights.
Really enjoyed it and will keep listening
Got everything I love about punk! Fave song: Violet Honorable Mentions: Doll Parts, Jennifer's Body, She Walks On Me
This is super mainstream but I kinda dig it. Something magical about her voice and the band. Favourite Song: Doll Parts
pretty damn good. great voice and sounds, and i could see myself re-listening to this again. Light 4
ok esse é bão hein pqp
Powerful rock with punk influences. First time really listening to Courtney Love. Not my last. 4/5
Courtney and Hole dont get anywhere near the respect they deserve.
Never regret putting this album on. Just damn good rock music
It's been a while since I've listened to this. Not sure I'd say it's a must-listen.
The good Hole album. Courtney is a terrible singer, but the music is punk enough that it doesn't matter. The songwriting is good and has a soul unlike Celebrity Skin. Overall, an essential album from the time.
Est-ce que c'est cliché de dire que l'album de la meuf de Kurt Cobain sonne comme du Nirvana en un peu plus girly ?
An unapologetically crushing album. Sick riffs, great vocals, and really makes you think about the circumstances and history surrounding its creation. Truly an artifact, but also fun to listen to.
This is probably on the list since they felt they had to include Hole and they felt the debut album would suffice but I think I like Celebrity Skin better though. 3.5
It’s telling the number of reviews on here saying that they dismissed Hole at the time because of their perception of Courtney. She is a great song writer and lyricist. Unpopular opinion: I prefer Celebrity Skin. Still very good though
v cool
Enjoyed this, heard the odd track off it before but not the whole thing. I'd go back to it again.
It's incredibly solid as an album but doesn't have any standout tracks for me.
Quite good. I remember most of the songs from back
A tasteful amount of heavy
Loved this. Haven't ever listened to a Hole album before and always kind of hated on Courtney but I enjoyed this entire album. Kinda wish I hadn't written her off when I was younger as I could have been enjoying this music for a long time.
I had no idea narduars cousin was such a good writer
Great album. Liked this much more than Celebrity skin. Much more powerful, better rougher sound. Nice.
Only really familiar with ‘Celebrity Skin’ and so nice to get a fuller picture. Powerful start, good vocal range and classic grunge/nirvana sound. Nice groove, good production, solid, grungey sound. Punchy songs that are a quick in and out, but leave their mark. Rumours of Kurt ghostwriting and whether true or not, the influence seems very clear and present throughout. Just a solid album throughout without any filler and packs a punch. Nice package
I really wanted to dislike this Hole album... but I kinda don't. I mean, I don't LOVE it, but it's not half bad. It's like, if they could've had another similar singer, it would've been a smidge better. Despite Courtney's scream-singing, the melodies are really well crafted. Musically/sonically, it's actually quite good. ...and, I have to say, even though she's scream-singing, it's actually quite controlled and tonally good. Perhaps it's just the fact that she's generally an asshole.
Live Through This is raw, loud, and drenched in emotion. I think what really works here is the way it straddles the line between punk fury and something much more vulnerable underneath. Courtney Love’s voice isn’t polished, but that’s the point—it’s messy, furious, grief-stricken, and strangely powerful. You can hear every scream and every lyric clawing its way out. I really do think this album captures something that feels genuinely unfiltered. Songs like “Miss World,” “Violet,” and “Doll Parts” stand out as real moments of intensity and feeling—equal parts rage and heartbreak. There’s a definite grunge feel, but with its own cracked-glamour edge. For me, it’s one of those albums that burns bright, even if it’s a little chaotic around the edges.
I wanted to hate this back in the day, i couldn't
7.5/10. Good grunge album.
I've listened to this before but feel like I've kinda written it off before as just more grunge (I've definitely gotten a bit fatigued from overplaying grunge in recent years), and was put off with how messy Courtney Love was/is (although there is a mountain of context behind that, some deserved, a lot undeserved). Listening to it again, I'm enjoying it a lot more the second time around as it doesn't sound grunge in the way Nirvana, Soundgarden, AIC, Pearl Jam, etc. sounded. Honestly sounds more in the vein of a Sleater-Kinney (guitar tone on some songs) or even something like a Death Cab for Cutie or Built to Spill, just with the trappings of grunge (more distortion, loud-quiet dynamic). It's got more of that Pacific Northwest "cloudy, drizzly, saltwater" sound than any of the grunge bands ever had. Definitely have to give more listens, but yeah, great record.
really good album. i am not going to mention her significant other, because i think this album stands on its own without bringing him up. she's earned it, and i don't think she should consistently be in his shadow. as for the album, it's aggressive, biting, and a great listen. courtney love really came into her own here and you can tell that she really was putting all she had into this one. it's a pretty good effort!
Would you release an album with your band 1 week after your husband died? Well, this girl did. I only knew a few songs from Hole, and I had definitely never heard this album, but I was impressed by Courtney Love's vocal energy, how it sounds visceral and soft at the same time, and the same logic can be applied to the band. They sound like a post-punk band that decided to play metal. In other words... grunge hahaha. It's not a spectacular album, but the 4 stars are deserved.
oye, este me gustó. Ya lo había escuchado hace unos meses tratando de reparar una faltas en mi conocimiento musical de los 90.
My memory of this album was that it was “doll parts” and not much else. Actually I think it’s really solid! Although “doll parts” does remain my favorite.
Hell yeah. The Cobain-wrote-it myth is shit; who’s to say Courtney didn’t write Nirvana songs? She didn’t, she was busy writing ripshit songs about women’s experience. This album blazes, and holds up better than most 90s albums. Kids, listen: women can be drug-addicted absolute rage cases too!
Had to change speakers to do this justice, really good fun album, had only really heard Doll Parts before but would listen again.
Courtney Love, patron saint of weird girls ❤️double bill of this and The Substance today was a wild ride.