Reviews (page 6 of 10)
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.
As raw and melodic as Nirvana. Top track: Violet / Jennifer's Body
Not really my bag. Courtney Love is a divisive figure but gives it her all here, but I'm not a huge fan of her vocals or songwriting. It's fine, just felt a bit run-of-the-mill.
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
Not my style but appreciate the passion and the effort
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.
I guess it was easy for me to forget how big this album was and how strong so much of the material was. This was a nice reminder. I still don't love Courtney as a singer, but she was much better than some of her more shrill contemporaries.
Some great songs on here, particularly Violet although it’s not a great album on the whole. I enjoyed listening to it though.
I couldn’t tell if this was good because she was shouting.
Pretty good
Love Hole.
Loud and in your face. Not as good as other Hole albums, but OK.
I can only describe this album as “Campy”. It feels like the epitome of the 90’s grunge era “I’m not part of your system, and you can’t define or label me” mentality. Instrumentally proficient and occasionally even interesting. Lyrics and vocals on the other hand, a bit one note. Overall good listen, feels like a Time Machine to Seattle circa 1994.
3 / 5 A few hot boys but overall not one of the A tier grunge albums
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
didn't really like it, not my kind of style but pop off queen
Hur fan kan den där fittungen Love ha två plattor med på listan? Bara för att man gapar, har attityd, visar brösten och knarkar kanske. En okej platta trots att man kan tro att jag tyckte annorlunda.
Honestly didn't really grab me this one. 1/2 stars.
Um Nirvana já basta. O mundo não precisa de uma segunda versão, com vocais ainda mais exagerados do que o original. Disco dispensável e esquecível.
Decent rock and roll, but her voice is so annoying to me. Don’t like this at all.
good songs
Lo que habría escuchado si no hubiera estado tan ocupada tratando de ser la hija perfecta en los 90s.
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.
I wish I liked grunge and could form a real opinion on this. As of right now it's just washed over me. I can certainly see why it deserves a position on this list though.
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!
I wanted to give this a high ranking because there are a lot of good things happening. To say that it’s Nirvana except with Courtney Love as the lead would do both bands a disservice, because it’s clearly its own thing, despite being the same genre. It’s raw, maybe too raw, and her seemingly random screams took me out of enjoying it as much as I wanted to. But good overall.
The way she erratically switches between singing and screaming is really grating, though I'm sure it's awesome for the fans. Mind you I do like the attitude and respect the themes that she's singing about -- even the repeated 'milk' bar works in context -- but I think I'm just really not a fan of grunge.
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.
Pretty kickass. Not my favourite sonically speaking but a bit does remind me of current girl rock bands that you hear like on 4ZZZ today, and some tracks like particularly She Walks On Me made me think of Amyl and the Sniffers. Asking For It could also be a modern song (unfortunately with that message always relevant).
This was good. Normally that half yelling style of singing really grates at me, but this album has enough interesting surrounds and melody to pull it off. It felt like what a lot of modern Australian bands are trying to be. A very solid 3.5.
Schließt eine Lücke im Grunge-Kosmos. Gut!
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
Some parts of this were really good, like plump and doll parts; the rest of it was alright. With a second listen, it might have ranked higher.
I actually quite like grunge when women are involved. Don't know what that says but it's an interesting observation isn't it?
Absolutely incredible. The dynamics of the soft vs. loud is just perfect. Great lyrics. Even better vocal performance, going absolutely all out every time. I love this record
Really enjoyed - not as good as Celebrity Skin for my money - but still a great listen and far better than majority of their contemporaries.
Live Through This Outside Nirvana, I don’t find Grunge to be a particularly interesting genre and as this does sit squarely in that box, it ultimately has limited appeal for me. However, Asking for It, Plump, Jennifer’s Body, Doll Parts, Credit in the Straight World and Rock Star are really good, and this is clearly a cut above most Grunge. Courtney Love’s vocals, direct, confrontational lyrics, pop nous and undoubted charisma and presence definitely set it apart, and when some of the garage-surf-pop influences come through it’s pretty enjoyable. On first listen this was a 2, but on repeat listens those points of difference came through and I enjoyed it much more. Not sure how often I’d come back to it, but I think it has enough about it to push it to a solid if unspectacular 3 🕳️🕳️🕳️ Playlist submission: Credit in the Straight World
The fate of most grunge is bad poetry and self-pity, delivered with a scream or whine at the end of each line. And this album delivers plenty of that. There is a lot in the phrasing that is clearly inspired by Kurt Cobain, the strained screaming, the pulling of vowel sounds upwards (like an Australian cadence), and soft/loud dynamics. It's a pretty one-dimensional album with little that holds up over twenty years later to mark it as an important album. Even from a historical perspective - ever hear anyone say they owe it all to Hole? There are some passing moments of interest, Doll Parts, Violet and the good Softer, Softest.
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!
Given the bad reputation of Courtney Love I assumed this was a bad band, which to be honest doesn't make sense at all. Truth is, this is a good album of 90s rock.
I bought this new but it's been a while since I listened to it. It's a band right that the top of the game.
So solid
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
Lyrically, this album is pretty heavy. I can't speak for women as I haven't lived that experience, but putting those feelings into lyrics is very punk of them. Sound-wise, I thought this album was a standard 90s grunge album, but I think I was left waiting for a track that had more going on musically.
I enjoyed most of this record. I liked the performances and some of the vocals throughout the album. Favourite Track(s): Credit In The Straight World, She Walks On Me Least Favourite Track(s): Jennifer’s Body
The singles are, of course, all-time greats, but outside of those, Jennifer's Body, and Olympia, this one never really did much for me. I guess it's too raw to fit in with the alt rock, but too polished to really fit in with the riot grrrl albums that Love didn't really want to fit in with anyway.
It's like more in utero but with a female voice and a bit of the nevermind polish
I’m insanely biased. I just like grunge. That guitar tone can so easily carry riffs it’s insane. I can’t say there’s anything special about this album in particular, but it’s so fun and has a bunch of great riffs. I liked the vocals too, but, again, nothing all that special about them. Simple but very solid record.
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
I don't know if i'm just not a 90's / 80's music person or if this just isn't a great album, but I didn't vibe. It was OK
Better than I thought, but not for me.
I can see the merit in this record. The melodies are tight, the guitar's are aggressive and the lyrics are charged, intense, urgent: and yet... I found myself wanting to like it. Wanting to love it, in fact. But I just couldn't. I was glad to reach track 12, 'Rockstar.' I'm giving this record a begrudging three, because two feels low. Three feels high, but it's where I've landed. Actually, no. I'm giving it two.
ok esse é bão hein pqp
GO ON TAKE EVERYTHING TAKE EVERYTHING I WANT YOU TO bom DEMAIS pprt. as letras desse aqui são PICAS. não eh tão barulhento quanto o debut deles, mas eh o que mais representa a banda. a harmonia perfeita entre o pop e a guitarrada maluca noventista. dito isso, esse album eh o MAIOR do grunge foda-se courtney love é das maiores do mundo que deus a abençoe.
Her voice can get kinda annoying at times, but damn she knows how to scream. I liked how weird the lyrics were. “Pee girl gets the belt” is a particular favorite. Campy but still sincerely feminist. Guitars were great too
Powerful rock with punk influences. First time really listening to Courtney Love. Not my last. 4/5
it is ok
Great melodic, grungy punk with hard hitting feminist lyrics well ahead of their time
Sounds a little dated now. No real standout tracks.
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.
Loved this album. Can't believe I'd never listened to it before.
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.
Violent, aggressive, raw yet melodic and emotional. The purists might think it a sellout, too watered down for a larger audience. I think it was just right - retaining the power but making it accessible enough to be heard.
2/5
Whiney, uninspired, lazy album.
Alright album. Bit too chaotic for my liking but a nice listen
This was not good. 2/5
Couple big songs. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it.
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 ?
I wish I could give this a 3.5. It rocks pretty hard. 4* seems too much, but 3* too little. I will listen to this again
This album used to be a guilty pleasure for me. It was hard to take the band seriously with Courtney Love's antics in the spotlight. Coming back to it years later, I am able to appreciate the album for what it is--a strong clap back at Love's detractors, from peers to the media to CPS, and a response to her unfair treatment by the press. The music is fierce and the lyrics poetic. There's not much I don't love about this album. Standout tracks: All of them, really, but if I have to choose, then Violet, Plump, Doll Parts
live through these nuts
Going into this I had very little in the way of expectations, knowing basically nothing about Hole beside knowing who Courtney Love is, I just expected female Nirvana. And while there are certainly comparisons to make to Love’s late husband’s band, it would be a discredit to write them off as such. While the angst and raw energy is still front and center throughout the track list, there’s a real pop sensibility in the way songs are structured, and the clean guitars here and there help to break of the typical tonal monotony of an alt rock album from the 90s. I’ve always thought female singers in a punk context are better than their male counterparts, and I feel that extends to alt as well. While I would prefer the instrumentals on any given Nirvana album over the ones on this record, i honestly think I’d prefer Love’s vocals to Cobain’s.
Very aggressive and the vocals are not what i expected. Im not totally turned off though. Couldnt finish and not super cohesive. 3/10
I think I prefer when they went pop. I wonder how iconic this would be without the events of Cobain and Hole in 94, just another album maybe? Rock Star was my favourite.
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.