1994 In Review: Hole - "Live Through This"

When you think of Hole's sophomore album (and first on a major label), there are two common memories that come up time and time again, both tragic in their own way.

Of course, the proverbial cloud that hangs over Live Through This is the proximity of its release to the death of Kurt Cobain. As his wife, Hole bandleader Courtney Love was the first person you thought of when associating the loss of Cobain with grief stricken friends and family. As such, many people turned to this album for possible clues, a lyric that could unlock understanding for scores of distraught fans looking for answers as to why Cobain would kill himself. There aren't any answers to be found on Live Through This (and why would there be?), but that didn't slow curiosity.

The second tragedy surrounding this album is the adamant belief of some that Cobain actually co-wrote the songs on the album. I don't see that many similarities between Nirvana and Hole; any parallels you can find are easily explained when you consider the fact that Love was married to Cobain, and therefore would have inevitably picked up a few tips along the way.

So, after removing the mythos and focusing on the music, the question becomes "is it still a good album?"

The short answer is yes; it remains (in my opinion) Hole's best album, splitting the difference between the raw and furious Pretty On The Inside and the glossy sheen of Celebrity Skin. It's got lots of grit and crunch, though not to the level of, say, L7; it also has a handful of well-executed, contemplative ballads that prevent the album from becoming overbearing.

Naturally, it's at its most cathartic when it's seething. Violet lays down the gauntlet for intensity and, though it's never quite matched, there are close contenders in fiery tracks like Jennifer's Body and She Walks On Me. You also can't dismiss Gutless, which looks into a violent future and finds Coral Fang era Distillers waiting. There's also the roaring, mosh pit ready lead single Miss World, which rides its grimy wave to great heights. Then, there's second half highlight I Think That I Would Die, which starts in a Sonic Youth haze before jumping off into a few different, more dangerous directions.

At the end of the day, Live Through This doesn't quite cement itself as a '90s alt necessity, but it certainly holds up as a great album worthy of rediscovering, especially if you need a reminder that Courtney Love used to be one of the most powerful women in rock.

April 12, 1994 • DGC

Highlights Violet • Miss World • Doll Parts