Reviews (page 6 of 10)
Pretty loud :-)
This is a really good album. The production value and overall sound and feel of the record - the best manifestation of Hole so far. And Love is in the groove. She also mostly strikes a good balance between over the top angerfests and softer rants. This is also the problem with the album. Toward the end, the yelling seemed repetitive to the point that I began to care less about all the things she was singing about. It is hard to take so much yelling when it takes so little to understand the trappings of fame, fortune, exploitation, drugs, abuse, egoism, sexism, etc. Granted, she is experiencing all these things with much higher definition, but such is the challenge with art.
yeah it is okay
ok, good energy. bit samey after a few tracks. sounds of its time- grungy.
No la pillo muy gritona
Unremarkable. A lot of ideas masquerading as songs. It was the trend at the time to put a band together with different characters and present them as a group. Hole are an example of this. Riding on the coattails of other more talented groups of the same ilk. Doll parts is ok but that's it.
This is a good grunge record, but nowhere near the top of the heap. It’s nice to hear the influence of Cobain, but it didn’t really grab me all these years later.
Haven’t listened to this since I was around 14-15 years old. Around 1995 I now know why I’ve left it decades. The desperate angst is very tired after one song
Best Song: Doll Parts Worst Song: I Think That I Would Die Added: 5/12
Would go crazy if I was a 15 year old girl who hated her stepdad in 2002
Quintessential Grunge album that brings me straight back to some really good times. Angsty and very well written. Cheers to old friends who didn't make it to 2025.
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 neither an important nor interesting representation of grunge.
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
Conocía a Hole, pero la verdad es que apenas los había escuchado. El álbum tiene su rollo, aunque a primera escucha me sonó todo bastante parecido. Pero en la segunda ya me metí un poco más en lo que querían transmitir y en el estilo del grupo. Me despertó una mezcla de melancolía, tristeza, rabia… y ese aire tan noventero que se nota en todo el disco. La que más me ha gustado, sin duda, es Miss World. También me han gustado bastante Jennifer’s Body, Violet, Plump, Doll Parts y sobretodo la intro de Credit in the Straight World. Creo que le pondría un 6'5/10. No me ha disgustado, pero se me hace algo repetitivo por momentos.
Fun album, I really enjoyed the vocals.
5/10
Grunge, good attitude good feminist themes, voice weak and the music a little grunge by numbers.
- good stuff. crazy vocalist - “she lost her innocence, gave it to an abscess” is brutal but a sick burn. presuming interpretation as losing your virginity to a terrible man - goodbye ending is always appreciated
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
Couple good songs. Lots of noise.
This is a big claim, but grunge has a very pleasant texture - like a flannel shirt I suppose - and for whatever reason, the bands with a female element (Hole, L7, Babes In Toyland, Sonic Youth perhaps) managed to get that across. Live Through This doesn’t have particularly great songs but it has a remarkable and timeless sound.
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.
170 albums in, this is the first one I've given a 5 that I'd never heard before. From the opener all the way through to the end it's hard, chaotic, passionate, brilliant
Interesting
Quite good. I remember most of the songs from back
A tasteful amount of heavy
Ordinært.
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.
This was my first time listening to Hole. I ended up enjoying it more than expected.
2.5
Decent grunge. 3/5
I had no idea narduars cousin was such a good writer
1/10…grunge
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
Love has a great voice, but the album itself is kinda forgettable.
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.
This was so good, I listened to it three times. I remember when this album came out and I loved it then and I still love it now. It's so perfectly recorded and Love's performances were all stellar. The perfectly distorted screams and perfectly sweet soft parts were wonderful. All of the instrumentation was great and I just really loved listening to this and never wanted it to end. Easily 5 stars.
Good
Better than expected, but a bit one note - above average 6/10.
One of the most successful female led rock bands of all time
Nah
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.
A decent album. It's perhaps misogynistic, but I do wonder how much popularity they have enjoyed had it not been for Kurt Cobain's death. The album isn't bad and has its moments, but it's rather straightforward grunge/post-grunge. Nothing really that groundbreaking.
Idk, Courtney Love is a turd. Good for what it is, but what it is ain’t good.
Not bad but not something I'd listen to again. Would rate it more of a 2.5
I wanted to hate this back in the day, i couldn't
it's mid
Not really listened to Hole before but I know grunge isn’t my genre. Appreciate some of the themes of this album surrounding motherhood and being a woman in the music industry, but this is doing nothing for me. Not bad by any means, just not to my tastes.
Lol the song I enjoyed most was a cover, oop
7.5/10. Good grunge album.
Hole is a cool old school grunge/punk band and they are always pretty consistent! Overall it was a pretty big album but still good!
I almost like this as much as Neermind and In Utero. There are 2 weaker songs for me on the project, but all of the others hit reeeeal hard. I love grunge in this era. Some songs sound very similar, but shit i like that song
I had never listened to Hole and I have misjudged Courtney Love. All I really knew of her was from the media, as the wife and tormentor of Kurt Cobain, the Yoko to his John, the Blake to his Amy. Supplier of drugs and by by all accounts a bit of a state. Oh and by the way she was in some band. Well it appears she was in some good band and had a modicum of talent, both as a songwriter and frontwoman. Maybe she was a fucked up addict and possibly all of the above but I enjoyed this album. Fair enough it was a clone of Nirvana, but a good clone. I like the album art too.
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.
Courtney love is a silly parody of something, but Hole makes some good songs. Still solid after all these years.
My kids used to like this, so I am familiar, it was alright
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.
эта сучка довела до ручки братишку Курта. ещё и выпустила альбом через неделю после его смерти. к тому же теории об авторстве кобейна небезосновательны. мой вердикт: мразь, пошла нахуй.
oye, este me gustó. Ya lo había escuchado hace unos meses tratando de reparar una faltas en mi conocimiento musical de los 90.
Never been a fan of Courtney. Would she have ever gotten a recording contract if she weren’t married to Kurt?
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.
I preferred Celebrity Skin, it felt more polished than Live Through This but this was a step away from the unfiltered grit of that first album. Hard to separate the art from the artist
A lot of grunge and punk elements coming together for this album. It had that 90's feel and Courtney's voice brought the rage. It's alright, for the most part. It's not hugely interesting to me, and a little bit annoying at times. I do like the vocals, I think she sounds great when she really lets loose and wails. The guitar sound is also great. Grungy and heavy. I do think towards the end of the album, it starts to get a little samey. I just wasn't really feeling this album on this particular day and I more than likely won't revisit this any time soon, unless I'm really in the mood for it. Perhaps another listen at another point in time and I'll completely change my mind, we'll see.
quite literally one of my favorite albums of all time, what is there to say that hasn't already been said a million times by people more knowledgeable and insightful than me? it rocks, it slaps, it goes, even if the insane misogynist conspiracy theory (you know the one) was true this album's existence would still go a long way towards canceling it out
A post punk mess. If Courtney did not marry Kurt you would never hear this album.
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.
Like like the album, like the vibes and hits hard 4/5
Light four, but great 90s rock album. Listened to it like three times yesterday, goes down real easy.
Had that 90's feel and rage. Doll parts stood out the most, but maybe because I've heard a line or two previously.
A lot of grunge and punk elements came together, which I would normally like, but the end result felt like less than the sum of its parts
This is like Yoko Ono coming out with a record akin to Revolver. There is NO was Kurt didn't have his hands all over these catchy fuzz riffs and poignant lyrics that circle back on eachother. Shit the whole album reads like a suicide note. I mean "Live thru This"? Gimme a break.
9.5/10
Angry and screaming. Did I miss something? I wasn’t a fan of Hole back in the day, and I’m still not a fan
Banger then, banger now.
I was pleasantly surprised by this album. While sounding a bit dated, it still ripped.
Grunge rock takes me back to my college days, and this is a great representative of that time for me.
Alright this
It's alright. Not very interesting. Annoying in parts. Won't be revisiting. Stand out song - plump
The music is there. Her voice though, dragged out. She seems like she was wanting to be the female version of Kurt. Great heavy grungy guitar and solid bass lines. The groove is there for the band.
Not as bad as I thought it was gonna be.
Hole is one of those bands that I've enjoyed select songs in the past, including "Violet", "Miss World", and "She Walks On Me" off this album. I know they often get overshadowed by frontwoman Courtney Love being Kurt Cobain's widow and her antics outside the group. Still, despite the outer drama, they're an enjoyable band. Case in point, Live Through This is a damn fine record. This album oozes with attitude, from the punk rock guitar riffs, Patty Schemel's punching percussion, Kristen Pfaff's tight basslines, and Courtney Love's abrasive contralto voice. There's a sense of controlled chaos throughout the record, with the structured melodies that make these songs catchy. They do spend a few tracks balancing out the ferocity with more acoustic-driven ballads such as "Asking for It" and "Doll Parts", but even those moments come off as tense in the delivery. Part of that tension also stems from the lyrical content, which at this point, I have to address the rumor. Someone on the r/1001AlbumsGenerator subreddit mentioned a rumor that Kurt Cobain ghostwrote most of this album. Here's the problem - I don't hear it, and this is me coming off of recently re-listening to Nevermind and In Utero for this album journey. From my perspective, Kurt wrote from a more diffuse and observational standpoint, aware of the situation they're in with the desire to escape amidst feelings of paranoia and anxiety. Courtney is more confrontational in her situations, addressing them head-on with vigor. From questioning herself in her newfound relationship with Kurt on "Doll Parts", to confronting past lover Billy Corgan on "Violet", to the media frenzy that swelled around her on "Miss World", to the birth and subsequent custody battle over her daughter on "Plump", to people who try and imitate her on "She Walks On Me", to the whole riot grrrl movement that she did not want to be associated with on "Rock Star". Courtney and lead guitarist Eric Erlandson penned the words on this album with pure volatility that cuts through like a knife. I don't have much else to say, when Live Through This is an excellent showcase of a band fighting through public perceptions to make a bold statement that wastes no time getting to the punch.
Listened before?: A little, on the radio in the 90s The sound was super familiar to me, even if I've never listened to this one all the way through. A great alt rock album.
Angsty teenage drama put to obnoxious music
I love 90s grunge, especially when it's WOMEN!!!
3.5 for sure though… how hard is it to make it a 10 point scale i ask you
Why did no one tell me that Hole is this good?!? I had the impression that Courtney Love was just some Kurt Cobain hanger-on. Why? Oh yeah, because white men (most music critics) pay a lot of attention to other white men, overstating their talent and importance on the regular. This is better than any Nirvana I know (and granted, I don’t have much Nirvana exposure). In fact, f—k the comparison to other bands. This is epic in its own right. Courtney Love’s vocal and guitar performances SLAY and the rest of the band is up to the task. Excellent drumming; driving bass. The style outside of my usual tastes, which makes how impressed I am even more impressive. A revelation! A solid 4.
Another pretty good and fun rock album by Courtney Love. Funny thing is that I had no idea that she was in any band before. I just knew she was Cobains girlfriend, or something. But look out, it seems like she was a really good singer in a very solid band. Good album.
I was never a Hole fan during my grunge days, so I wasn't terribly excited to revisit this album. But after all these years later, the sound actually holds up, while Courtney Love's voice is nearly as grating as I remember. There's even a few more tracks beyond the hits that sound pretty great.
her voice is a bit grating but they are very good songs
It's very bleak but it's a great album
This is very punk. Pleasantly surprised
Loved the 2 singles that came out of this, but never had the album. It smokes--with more time might get to 4.5 for me.
interessant, die Hälfte des Albums ist bekannt, aber irgendwie der Bandname nicht bewusst
I want to listen to this again many more times and then write a dissertation on it
Didn’t know what this was going into it. Liked it.
Would have rated this a 3.5 but I’m rounding up. Courtney Love is pretty cool
Not surprised this holds up but surprised it’s so good throughout. Great songwriting!
Total garbage
Listened Before? Y I had this one back in the day. I liked it, but always wished it was a different album when I was listening - i.e. I wished I was listening to Nirvana or Soundgarden or L7... It's okay. It has aged fairly well but nothing I need to hear with any regularity. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Violet
Bien
Actually love this. Hole really did stir up some unique and innegligible power in alter rock history. I do love Courtney Love's singing voice and the energy she's able to exude. It's undoubtedly an outstanding album if you put everything else aside.
Some raw, gritty vocals here that I absolutely loved. Missing some variety in the songs' melodies, but all in all, quite good!
Does the quiet/loud grunge really well. Dirty lush guitars and guttural vocals aplenty. Reminds me a lot of the breeders, which you probably should also check out if you like this.
3.5
More rock than alternative. Not sure what it wants to be. Too much rock and screaming.
another kat stratford album. not completely though!
Quite good 👍
Never listened to Hole before for some reason. Overall I liked it, though a handful of tracks are a bit too hardcore punk for my taste.
she haunts me
Repeat listen
действительно более мелодично но мисс ми с панком и Кортни
lyssnat flera gånger nu. det är initialt mycket oljud pga skriksång. Musikaliskt är det rätt ok, men det går ändå inte riktigt. Det pendlar mellan 2 och 3. Men Det som är bra väger upp (tex doll parts). Men jag är inte sugen på mer.
Kul överraskning. Aldrig lyssnat på Hole tidigare men det här var ju en riktigt bra skiva. Stark fyra!
I have fond memories of this album. listening to it now, it feels like bubblegum that has lost it's chew. it's still good, but it's nostalgia for me is fading. maybe if I was in the right mood.
Very solid
Pretty straight down the middle 90s alt rock. Heavy punk influence tempered by radio play ambitions, post-grunge production with big dirty guitars, loud-quiet dynamics, personal is political feminist lyrics delivered by an alternatingly whispered intimate / screamed guttural vocal.
It's a punky one.
An important album from an inspired band in the height of the grunge popularity. The band deserve credit for their relentless assault on the ears.
Courtney Love was/is a bit overblown with an inflated sense of importance. Can't recommend this album.
Can't stand Courtney Love, but can't deny that this album shreds.
Courtney Love was irritating in the 90s so Hole kind of passed me by …. but I liked it 👍
Never really listened to them but liked them. Kind of like a Nirvana vibe
Fun, dynamic and not too serious 90s grunge. Not something I would have sought out independently, but I appreciate the energy of the record. Really engaging and a nice range of sounds and composition. Best Tracks: - Gutless - Rock Star - Plump Worst Tracks: N/A Rating: 8/10
She needed her hole filled frfr
Are we getting a second Hole because it's Masters week? I actually like this album. And it seems even better by comparison to yesterday.
IDK. shes been very influential, but I wouldn't say she's my jam.
Would this album be as renown if Courtney Love wasn't with Kurt? Yeah, probably. It's a pretty good album.
3.5 stars. Liked the sound overall, but none of the sounds were particular standouts. A little more raw than some of their other stuff.
This is a tremendous album. I listened to the *shit* out of it back in the day, man. When it first popped up, I thought I'd be ranking it 5 stars. Listening to it today, I'm not sure it *quite* reaches that top tier. Although some songs, like Credit in the Straight World, are much better than I remembered, overall, I just think it sounds a bit dated. I say that as the gentlest critique possible, because this album, as the kids say, absolutely slaps. There's a fair bit of nostalgia involved in listening to this, not only for who I wa during the time this was released, but also because I can, now more than then, hear Kurt's influence on every one of these songs. I have no idea if, as has been rumored, Kurt actually wrote or helped write any of these songs, but if he didn't, Courtney just straight up stole his style because this album sounds like a Nirvana B-Side, and I say that in the best way possible. I listened to it a second time, because it's awesome, and because I'm conflicted. I try to keep 5 stars rare, but goddammit, this is one of the best grunge albums ever made, and one of the best albums of the 90s full stop It has it's flaws, sure, and I'd give it a 4.5 if I could, but I can't, and so I'm more comfortable bumping it a half star on vibes versus docking it.
this album has such a special place in my heart. i think the first half is strongest. some really good songwriting and so much of what it feels like to grow up in the world a girl. this album helped me learn how to be pissed off. i’m so grateful for that
Awesome
I've never listened to this.
muy bueno lo de la jabru de kurco
Whilst I was vaguely aware of Courtney Love I never knew she was part of a group I had never heard of called Hole. My indifference to Ms Love is mainly due to her non musical antics and way of life which I despise. I had never previously listened to any of her music so feared that it would be the standard post punk grunge stuff and as it turned out was. But there was something endearing about it leading me to conclude that Courtney did or still does have some talent. I have heard a lot worse than this and another surprise from the 1001 Gods. 2.5/5 4/4/25
4.5 - amazing! Doll parts still fantastic.
4/3/25. Big energy on this album! Really my first time giving Hole a true listen, love the guitar sound and loud drums, and Courtney's vocals are infectious. Will definitely check out again.
I like the song "Violet". But I'm not into Courtney Love's voice and even less so her persona, so I have a hard time getting into the rest of the album. I think I would like the album more with someone else on vocals (but if it wasn't for Love's connection to Cobain and/or her brash persona I probably would never have heard about the band in the first place). It's interesting to learn that before Hole she at one time sang with Faith No More (!) and also to learn that Michael Stipe and Drew Barrymore are godparents to Kurt and Courtney's daughter.
So much time is spent on the mythos of Courtney and her relationship with Kurt that it's easy to forget that Hole produced blistering pop grunge in the way few bands could.
Sometimes you don't know how angry you are being a woman in this country until someone perfectly articulates it.
i love hole man. this album is just awesome. honestly tho hole isn’t like one of my favorites they’re good but they aren’t like anywhere close to the best. this album is fire tho and honestly a good grunge album it’s just a 4/5 for me personally but very positive.
- hätte nicht erwartet, dass das so abgeht, geil - und dann habe ich gerade gelesen, dass die Sängerin mit Cobain verheiratet war und auch ein Kind bekommen hat.. wusste ich nicht - davon abgesehen finde ich das Album echt unterhaltsam - geile Riffs und Ideen dabei, Punk, Hardcore, Grunge - fette Platte insgesamt 4/5
Love is controversial, but this album delivers. Hadn't expected that.
bit biased here, but not my cup of tea tbh
nirvana pastiche bad vibes idk
4 stars
A true masterpiece start to finish. Love is an expert at expressing the rage of existing as a woman in North America.
Great album, anchored by the fantastic Doll Parts. She may be crazy, but she’s definitely a rock star
Vocals are a bit of an acquired taste in their rawness. Musicianship is strong. Highlights:"Violet" (intense opener), "Plump" (punky riff), "Doll Parts" (intriguing lyrics)
Rating: 7.5/10 Raw, noisy, catchy, and fun all the way through.
*distorted guitar starts playing* 2! 3! 4! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Favorite Track: Credit In The Straight World
amazing album, some of the most raw grunge shit i’ve ever heard
Wasn’t expecting much as not my thing, but this was ok 2/5
I'm here for all feminine rage.
Before Courtney Love was COURTNEY LOVE. Before she got washed up as Kurt's muse and was constantly hounded by the media for doing heroin while pregnant she was the female empowerment of the grunge scene. Until Hole emerged, grunge was a boys club and just like the cover of the album shows, girls can play rough too, and boy do they. 4/5
Why are there two Hole albums on the list? Pick one...but not this one. Liked Songs Added: Doll Parts
I listened to this album semi-recently but found nothing noteworthy. Thought maybe another go around might change that; it did not. I guess I'm not grungey enough.
I was going to say she's basically female Kurt cobain, but then I looked it up and found out she was married to him at one time haha. Love the rage and the angst in these songs. Enjoyed the aggressive vocals as well. There are a few sleepy tracks near the end of the album, but lots had me banging my head. Fav track was Plump.
Siento que este género no es nada novedoso en los 90. Ya tuvimos los 70 y 80 para recontra quemar este estilo. Garbage quizá pudo darle una vuelta. Esto es un refrito. Nota: 2.3
I had very mixed opinions going in the same way I have mixed opinions about Courtney Love. And that’s sorta the sad thing is that she is such an infamous person that her personality/controversies dominate all the music. That aside, I really liked this album. I was expecting cringy vanity project or clear copy cat of the more prominent grunge bands. And I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I was wrong. Right off the bat it has my two favorite things, it has a respectable amount of variety in sound, they might not be trying to write a ween album but for a Seminole 90s grunge album is does have a lot of variety. The second thing this album has is it’s short but not too short. This album kinda flew by but on the second listen it seemed like the perfect amount of time before I wanted to listen to something else. Once again I have mixed feelings about Courtney, but I actually kinda love this album.
Another one I could barely stand!
I can say I've lived through this album and the experience was ok. Not a bad album, kinda grungy alt rock that did little to make me want to return. Plenty of decent songs though. 3.5/5
Sounds like middle school angst. Love it
Classic. Brought me right back to the time I wore JNCO jeans.
courtney love será una mala persona pero no saben lo bien que compone y canta. 4.5⭐
2.5 - one sound, I thought it was going to be a lot different based on the opener
Hate myself for wanting to hate this. I think Nick Broomfield saying Courtney Love basically murdered Kurt Cobain (Kurt Cobain murdered himself) plus just the horrific but deep-seated misogyny of the 90s always put me off. I missed out so much. This is every bit the sister album to Nevermind, angry but literate. But I love it even more because it's a decent grunge album that is not Nirvana.
Quite good.
80% Best: Miss World; Asking For It; Doll Parts; Must-Hear? Sure?
Hit so hard it put a Hole in my chest
Go on take everything, I dare you to.
One of those rock albums that sounds a lot like other rock albums of the time. Nothing special.
Started incredibly well, considering that I didn't really know a single Hole song and doubt I'd even listened to one before, as I had a mental block about Courtney Love, as many people seem to have. So that first track was over and done, and I was afraid it was going to never live up to the first track, but I ended up listening to this entire album three times, and it does indeed live up to the first track. I can't find anything to fault, the vocals were great, the band were tight, the songs had hooks. I feel almost guilty giving this 5 stars, but so it goes.
Decent rock album with I believe an almost female cast which is sickkkkk. Gives me “If Olivia Rodrigo” made music in the 90’s haha
I understand this album as being a tribute, in a sense, to Kurt, with such a similar style to Nirvana. It doesn't have that same legendary and rebellious youth sound that made them so successful. Grunge fans would appreciate this album, but not for me.
An awfully difficult one to separate the history from the music. But, without all the Cobain-related baggage, this album is actually really good, with a driving sound that fits the style they were going for very well. Turns out Courtney Love is actually very talented and the hate she’s gotten over the years (unfortunately, not unlike many women like her) is undeserved. I can see why Kurt was drawn to her.
Not normally fan of punk but this was good
very youthful energy, fun rock music
A great and consistent grunge album full of energy, anger and pain. I would have really loved this as a teenager. None of the tracks really stand out enough to elevate this to a 5 though
Lots of respect for Courtney, I love insane women but I wasnt exactly obsessed with the album.
Hole (Courtney Love) is a little too screamy for my taste. There are some softer moments that make it more powerful.
Way better than I'd expected l. Great album.
I can see the merit of it, but I’m just not unit hat 90s grunge music that much.
Unlistenable
Songwriting credit rumors aside, this is a well-crafted and well-written grunge/alt rock record. Really driven home by Courtney Love's fierce vocals and Erlandson's heavy riffs. But also their sound is further transformed and upgraded with the addition of newcomers Kristen Pfaff (RIP) on bass and Patty Schemel on drums. Yes, this is a female-led rock group from an era where many of these bands were in the spotlight, and feminism is the main lyrical theme among others here. But for a short time, Hole were deservedly in the lead role of this "movement". Love elevates the group by channeling her personal life experiences into this sort of contained and melodic rage. This was the first of two big releases in a row from Hole as they were hitting their stride musically and commercially. Favorite tracks: Violet, Asking for It, Jennifer's Body, Doll Parts
..
I hate Courtney’s screaming voice. Some of the songs were ok when she wasn’t screaming. It’s a 2.5 for me, but I have to round down because I wouldn’t listen to this again.
FUCK YOU COURTNEY AND FUCK THE FACT THAT THIS IS A GREAT ALBUM
Nothing special but not terrible. Couple of overused chord progressions of the 90s maybe
moeilijk geval... zeker niet slecht, maar na een tijdje geraak ik het toch wat beu, het stil-luid-stil-luid-spelletje is al iets te vaak gespeeld
Cathartic grunge rock Bewitching riffs, banshee wails, Riot girl classic
tässä osataan ;) tässä kyllä osataan. omg n iin nostalkia semmosta nostalkiaa ysäriltä että pakko antaa viisi tähteä senmmosta senmmosta menoa kuitenkin oli parasta aikaa ehkä koskaan. nyt olen vanha paska ja vittutaa, ja kaikki on paskaa. huonoin aika nyt. silloin paras aika. selevät sävelet on, jos ei ymmärrä ei ymmärrä. ja jos ei ymmärrä niin turpaan tulee. koska nykyaika paskaa. kaikki mennyt päin vittuun. ei mikään enää onnistu. yrittää perkele mitävaan niin epäonnistuminen taattua. taattu vastaus on että: perkele nyt riittti. kaikki vaan luovtutaa. luovuttaa ja jatkaa matkaa.. kaikki vaan kävelee. minne? en tiedä.. oma kauhunsa sekin.. violet
Such an underrated album. Need a Hole reunion 2025!
This was an enormous disappointment. I love grunge and always heard Live Through This was pretty good, but after the great song "Violet" the album basically tanked. Some props to Love and the band for some energetic performances, but give me a Nirvana or Alice in Chains any day. 1.5/5 -> 2/5
Oh Courtney Love, why you so crazy. Hole was always talented, but it felt like she was the dark cloud that overshadowed every aspect. Great album, great guitars, her vocals are powerful and raw.
I remember Doll Parts fondly but the rest of the album hadn’t aged well for me.
It's grunge throughout, what more can I say!
Well, I only had to skip four songs (out of 12), so I guess that's something?
Grunge was so cool
Haven't heard any music of them yet, but of course know the infamous Courtney Love. Enjoyed another female voice
I mean it’s decent but not my style. I got tired of hearing this repetitive music
Not bad! I’m amazed by the energy paired with the voice. I never listened too Hole but I think I would really have enjoyed it. Because now I really like it.
Courtney did not kill Kurt but she did kill on the track
Decent album. Enjoyed the music. Some of the vocals were not enjoyable.
I had Credit in the Free World saved to bike riding playlist already <3
It was fine, for me it was a bit too much at times. There were fast uptempo songs followed by slow ballad-like songs, which was strange yet oddly comforting and added as a sort of counterweight to the sheer power of the record. Overall I quite enjoyed the record but it was not something I'd listen on a frequent basis, it's missing something special. Favorite track: Jeniffers body. Overall score: 6.8/10
Already listened to this during my 2024 album challenge. 2 out of 5.
Another totally new band for me. It was a fun listen through of the album. I felt like I was back in my youth listening to alt-rock bands. While it isn't the music genre of choice for me any more I still appreciate the songs and I liked quite a few of them. If I would have found them 20 years ago I can see myself feeling even more nostalgic today.
*turns to Billy Corgan* GET A JOB, STAY AWAY FROM HER
tbh didnt like it.
very intense music. you can feel the pain and emotion in it. that being said im not sure how often id want to relisten
Punked out grunge. I enjoyed this- probably more than I should have. Probably because of all the mopey and techno albums recently
Somehow manages to sound like mascara running, or as drummer Patty Schemel put it, “a girl gang beating someone up behind a 7-Eleven.” Released 4 days after Kurt Cobain died.
I read a review calling this a masterpiece? Give me a break. It captures that punk/ grunge time well, I’ll give it that.
I never listened to this record beyond Doll Parts. I think its because of my distaste for Courtney. However, setting aside her charming personality, this is pretty good rock and roll.
I, like many immature boys in the early-aughts, blamed Courtney for Kurt's death. In retrospect, the "evidence" is all incredibly suspect and knowing more about her now and at the time, is not plausible. In fact, it's far more likely for him to have been able to commit the s-word on unimaginable amounts of h than it is that she killed him, much less conspired to have him murdered. Worst of it all is that I never listened to Hole because of it. Go listen to her WTF interview and you'll see her for the tragic figure that she is. This album is great, actually.
Screams 90s grunge. Hole had something special - not everything hits, but plenty of interesting songs here.
Best Kurt Cobain album
Angry, edgy, aggressive, tight, brilliant
This is all very laudable, but with a couple of exceptions there's not a memorable song there, and I think it's a strictly minor entry in the grunge canon.
7/10
Righteous anger and roaring grunge riffs. The performances feel untamed but the songwriting is tight. There’s a lot fury in these songs and yet they also have a strong sense of pop structure and plenty of hooks. Mother’s milk and babies are images that come up a lot and while I don’t yet have a firm grip on exactly how these songs feel about motherhood, this is definitely a fresh and exciting way to approach these themes. Rejection of beauty standards and even a wholesale rejection of society is present in a lot of these songs. I really vibe with it. This album rocks. *** Totally random connection but two days ago we had an Elvis Costello album on this list with a song "Honey, Are You Straight Or Are You Blind?" that had the line, "She's just a doll like so many more / She's the kind of doll that you'd like to pull to pieces." It stood out to me as a great image. And now on today's album, Hole has a song called "Doll Parts" with the line, "He only loves those things because he loves to see them break."
Really solid grunge album. I hope "Celebrity Skin" is on the list too as it's also very good. "Violet" is great and that chorus could have been a Nirvana chorus. I listened to a few repeats of it just now and then googled Nirvana "violet" cover and all I got was some results of a Nirvana reunion with Violet Grohl (Dave's daughter) on vocals that just happened a week or two ago. Then I looked at the release date of this and saw that it came out only 7 days after Kurt died. Pretty crazy. I love how the pre-chorus has this catchy and simple melody with a 50's kick-snare-snare drumbeat, and then that chorus is as raw as grunge ever gets. I love going through this album and hearing all of the shifts and changes. Over and over again I'm "wow'd" by the amount of effort put into these little 4 measure moments that add some really nice colors to the tracks. It's packed with little post-chorus acoustic guitar substitutions, or contrasting bridges with soft vocals that seem to serve to antagonize the screaming and angry choruses. It's so much better than what I remember hearing when I was young. Remove Courtney Love from her relationship with Kurt Cobain, and you would get a drama-less Hole that is an awesome band (or maybe you don't because he influenced her songwriting?). As it is today though, there's always this connotation involved whenever I think of them- their connection and drama is always apparent. How could you avoid it though when the wikipedia page for this album has "Cobain" written 26 times, more than double that of "Pfaff", the surname of the bassist, an actual member of the band who happened to pass away 2 months after the release. These songs are really great and have impressive depth. I'll be adding some of these to some of my more raw playlists I think. I love this album cover. The blur, slight over exposure, the haze, the saturation, the model's facial expression; it's all great.
Meh
Kinda edgy. They do a great job of getting their anger/point across in both the music and lyrics. It's not great, not groundbreaking. In a sweeping generalization, it's about like most angry girl bands I've heard before.
This was pretty good although many of the songs sounded the same.
Respectable album with great rough sound and a great female perspective of being driven to aggression and push back of powerful insight.
I'm not going to pretend to know much about Courtney Love, but she's giving a lot of fuck you energy in this album. Very tough and gritty with some good headbangers. I think some it works for me, but not enough to get it up to a 4. Solid 3.
Better than expected. At least the first 8 songs.
Underrated and under-appreciated but never forgotten. Live Through This is the seminal album for 90s feminist rage and angst. Courtney Love is truly one of the greatest writers of all time. Her lyrics have lived rent free in my head for over twenty years and are a frequent source of comfort in my times of sorrow. A flawless masterpiece in every sense of the word, and the magnum opus of 90s rock as far as I’m concerned.
Credit in the straight world and I think that I would die blew me away Love the lyrics and vocals throughout
Cant say I care much for this'n
Totally fine album but doesn't leave much to remember.
And once again, an album I haven’t listened to in a looong time, probably around 20 years. It brings back a wave of nostalgic memories, but that’s about it. A few hits, nothing more to me. My main issue with this band has always been their lack of clear direction. They seem unable to decide whether they want to create radio-friendly pop or lean into grunge, resulting in a blend that often feels somewhat uninspired. The lyrics are sharp and hit their mark, but for me, that alone isn’t enough.
I've probably listened to this album only once in my life, at most. Hole has barely been on the outer edges of my musical landscape, other than the brief brush I've had with their music videos on MTV. I'm surprised how much of an pop album this one actually is, a pop album with grunge bits and edgy lyrics. I now realize I shouldn't be surprised; the volume buying public doesn't care for ugly and harsh. While I usually don't pay lyrics much attention, "Asking For It" grabbed my attention with lines like "Was she asking for it? ...asking nice? Did she ask you twice?". Doesn't change my feelings towards the band much, but I feel could look into their first album, if it indeed has more "hardcore [punk] aesthetics" I might actually be interested.
punky grunge that gets a nod but not a frequent play
Powerful alternative rock. Doll Parts is brilliant. Loves voice is ace
I was expecting to hate this, but it was good, very good in fact. I've always considered Courtney Love to be a bit of a cunt, and maybe she is, but I should have learned by now that whether someone is a cunt or not doesn't usually have any bearing on whether said person can make good music.
4.5
I feel like I should like Hole, but I really don't enjoy Courtney Love's vocals. 900+ albums ago when I was starting this journey, I didn't realize how picky I really was about rock music.
I don’t love this, but it’s not made for me.
Better than the other Hole album on here
Catchy hooks, I liked it just fine. Some of the slower songs I didn't care much for.
2.5
YAYYYYY violet- 7 or 8 miss world- 9, would be 10 but it's overplayed. but it is a 10. do you understand? plump- 6. doesnt live up to the rest of the songs. asking for it- 9. the bridge is heavenly jennifers body- 7 or 8. the chorus is the best part. the rest is okay, but cmon now. i like how the movie was named after it but really has no correlation doll parts- 8. ngl i prefer softer, softest for the slower softer songs, but it is heart wrenching. she wrote if before she and kurt got together, recorded it when they were married, and by the time it was released, he was dead. credit in the straight world- 9. <3 softer, softest- 9 or 10. my love. she walks on me- 9. the best part is 1:32 i think that i would die- 9 or 10. cmon now. she is the moment. gutless- 7. its fine rock star- 10. <3<3<3 one of the best album closers idgaf i am a mentally disturbed teenaged girl. of course ive listened to this album 100 times before
The best of Hole
Raw feeling, hard hitting Grunge Punk. Also not a lot of bands like this with a female singer and I think Love's voice adds a lot in terms of helping it stand out from other album's of that era. But ya kicks ass, doesn't overstay it's welcome some great 90s grunge
Fantastic
Fantastic album
Cool alternative, but nothing special.
How this is on the list is beyond me. What a giant piece of shit.
Favorite Track: Asking For It
not quite my thing but there was a few interesting guitar riffs here and there.
Released 4 years before the last Hole album we reviewed (Celebrity Skin) and just a week following front-woman Love's husband (Cobain), this one is a bit rougher around the edges and is all the better for it. This has strong individual song-writing throughout and a cohesive aesthetic that I didn't mind sinking into. Courtney Love is a powerful front-woman with an ability to command attention both in harsh, punkish snarls (Violet, Plump) as well as in vulnerable croons (Doll Parts, Miss World). Loved this album front to back and will be back again -- high 4 / 5. -- Violet sets the stage with some angsty, rough around the edges, alt-rock that borrows from a punk tradition. Solid energy up front. A quick turn into Miss World where much of the angst is stripped away on a toned down, almost poppy (by comparison) acoustic lead song. Plump is a jam, where she sounds at times like Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders. Asking For It has a minor progression during the chorus that reminds me a lot of some Nirvana songs (Come As You Are comes to mind). Doll Parts is a great song. Really enjoy Softer, Softest but have to say the lyrics are pretty uncomfortable. While it isn't entirely obvious it appears to be about sexual abuse (presumably of a child). References to "pee-girl" getting the belt and hoping "you won't tell on me."
Don't love the grunginess. There's some good music in here, but it quickly gets wiped away with repetitive screaming. 2.5 stars.
The banging on drums and howling into the mic just might not be for me in this case. The guitar in the end of Gutless was pretty good I think I got the song right. But the rest was just another album
Didn't really dig the last Hole album, but maybe this one will fill me up a bit more. Hehe I actually liked this much more than the last one. Still not my whole jam but solid enough.
Virkelig fed! Hun lyder godt
Rigtig god energi!
Better than I feared!
4.5
Better than I thought, or remembered. Some really solid grunge songs on here. Ragey and loud.
+1 for the anti riot grrl song.
Wouldn’t listen again, but no awful
An interesting listen, obviously I’ve heard of Cox and Hole but never got round to listening, not bad at all though I don’t listen to this kind of music much anymore.
I've never really understood the fame of Courtney Love and honestly always kind of suspected that her success was mainly to do with the people who she surrounded herself with. That's not as much as a criticism as it sounds. If someone can select the right people to create the art they want and it works, then why not? But in my limited experience listening to Hole, I just wasn't connecting to it. Hole's other album here, "Celebrity Skin" was kind of interesting but didn't really stick with me if I'm being honest. "Live Through This" is a refreshing change though. The album was plagued by accusations that Kurt Cobain secretly wrote it, despite having very little to do with its creation (Cobain does some barely noticable backing vocals on two tracks). It's an enormous compliment to Love that those rumors persisted as she really does seem to be channeling Nirvana here, much more so than other Hole albums. It's the blend of pop and sheer grit that Cobain made famous. The themes of feminism and subverted concepts of beauty would have fit perfectly alongside her late husband's work. But the album compliments Nirvana more than it imitates, displaying more anger than disaffectedness. It shows another side to the Olympia grunge scene during its peak. Hole would later change focus to themes of Hollywood and celebrity, seeming to reveal in its own emptiness. In retrospect, it seems like a natural move from the bleak suburban world of "Live Through This". But this is still the better album in my opinion.
Pretty good sounding punk album, female singer that had a punch but stayed on the right side of my preference.
Good to have a female lead in these type of grunge bands, and some point especially when she does an extended scream it sounds quite raspy and almost a female version of Kurt.. Lacks abit of character in the voice regardless so giving this a 3 (probably will be 2.8 worldwide)
Nothing great with this one all. Bit samey
I was not a big fan of the grunge rock movement of the 90s and I have heard several songs off this album in the past which I liked. This is my first listen from start to finish. I like it.
It slapped hard.
Girlvana
Compiler: geez. We’re getting hammered for a lack of diversity. It’s as if chicks are able to play rock. 2nd compiler. Well Courtney love is a chick. How many albums did hole do? Compiler. Who cares? We’ve still got six Neil Young albums to squeeze in. Put in another hole album. That’ll shut em up. Women hey? 2nd compiler. Bloody women. I try not to be sexist. Chicks hate that. But they make it hard. In fact this isn’t bad but it’s a bit inessential. Hole were a good band and I know they get lost a bit in the tabloid circumstances. But they’re solid. I suppose points for including a female act. And they should have more. 3 stars.
Courtney Love is a genuine rock star. Intense, angry, articulate, unpredictable, controversial, ambitious, unfiltered, strong, damaged, impulsive, charismatic. She has copped a lot of flack over the years, some self-inflicted damage, but a lot of grief for being crime of being a woman. This album is Hole (and Courtney) at the height of their/her powers. The songs are really strong, partially written in the studio, but also having been partially worked on over the previous two years. There is some understandable Nirvana influence, but these are definitely Courtney's songs. It has the loud/soft thing (which was a step forward in musical development for Hole), a lot of punk rock screaming (and what a scream it is!), but the sheen of being well recorded and edited. I think there was probably some selective editing on the vocals, the guitars and drums sound huge, and some subtle keyboard sweetening in the background. Interestingly, the producers said they didn't double her vocals much to not cut the immediacy. I suspect she never sings a song the same way twice, so doubling was not really a viable option, but she certainly gives each vocal take her all. I'm glad they left in a lot of "mistakes" (vocal cracking, dubious intonation and wayward pitching are common), because the performances are raw and real. Just the right amount of polish, I think. The beginning of the 90s was a unique moment in music history when noisy punk bands like Hole (or Mudhoney or the Jesus Lizard or the Butthole Surfers or any number of similarly bizarre signings) would attract major label deals and the attendant recording budgets. Nobody would ever again give this kind of budget to an honestly dangerous punk band anymore, so we may never hear an album like this again. It stands up as a powerful album, even 30 years later.
I forgot how much i like this album, Its great
I never really gave Hole our Courtney Love much of a chance as a kid. While I'm sure I didn't think of her explicitly as a "Yoko" at the time that is the best way I can retroactively describe it now. Elementary school me largely blamed her for Kurt's death and her reputation following that was kind of wild for a kid to process. 30 years later I can listen to this album and appreciate the way it fit into that era and it actually was pretty decent. I still prefer Garbage and No Doubt as far as bands with female leads from that time, but I can see Hole fitting in there too. The timing of this album release with Kurt's death is also insane. How would that not be delayed?! I realize this review isn't as much about the content, so I will say the opening track "Violet" really felt like what I've had to deal with with some crappy family stuff this year. Good vessel to get all that negativity out for the new year. (Review date Dec 31, 2024) Favorite track: "Violet" 4/5
Ngl, a little screechy. But I liked Plump!
I almost gave it a 4 simply for the fact that I like the Celebrity Skin album so much more. That wouldn't be fair though. This album stand on its own and is a great work of the era.
I want to be the girl with the most cake.
12/12/24 This album was much better than expected.
A complex and brutal album, fuelled by righteous anger as Love addresses sexual abuse, eating disorders, and the hypocrisy of the Washington punk scene. Violet is a furious opener that calls back to Hole’s debut album and the riot grrrl scene they were distancing themselves from, but the sound is more varied throughout with the starting verses of Miss World and Doll Parts for example contrasting with punk-adjacent songwriting. Due to the mythology around Love’s relationship Cobain, especially considering his infamous suicide just a week before this album was released, it’s difficult not to compare to Nirvana in places. While Nevermind saw Nirvana expand their sonic palate and In Utero then saw them return to a more raw and heavier production style, Live Through This is like a symbiosis of the two - the hooks and bridges of a more commercially-focused project with a fervent energy, passion and ferociousness that adds a strong emotional impact to most of these songs, and it’s the perfect balance of the two that really makes this project hold up and sets it apart from its contemporaries. It’s a fantastic album, though a bit stacked in the first half as nothing after Doll Parts really hits with the same force for me, and is a bit forgettable in comparison to the six tour-de-forces on the front end
It was alright
Crunchy and heavy grunge record. I like it and it has grown on me a lot since I first heard it years ago. However I don't think it does that much to distinguish itself from the crop, other than having a female vocalist. The Kurt Cobain association definitely help, of course. And no, I don't buy into the conspiracy theories. Key tracks: Violet Miss World Jennifers Body Doll Parts
While I liked the other album from Hole better I still found myself liking this a lot. 4/5
Es un pop punk bastante de mierda, bien ruidoso.
Better than I remember. Never a Courtney Love fan, but this is a good straightforward rock album.
Not really my style, but I appreciate theirs
Really no skips here. Yes, Courtney Love is off-putting to many, many people, but come on! This is great. Classic. All time classic videos… what’s not to love?
A classic album that was moulded from the mind of Kurt Cobain. How could it not be this good?
nix besonderes ist ok
No me molestó pero tampoco lo encontré especialmente memorable. Tiene un par de canciones poderosas pero los gritos y voz rasposa de Courtney Love me terminaron cansando.
Not terrible
Looks like her career also tanked with Kurt's death
Not too shabby