Julie Ruin – Self Titled Release

People either love or hate the Riot Grrrl scene. With that being said, no matter if you like or dislike the genre, you have to respect this album. Originally released in 1997, I received the album from my older cousin on Thanksgiving Day when I was about 14 years old (around 2006). He knew how much I liked Bikini Kill, Le Tigre and Kathleen Hanna, so he told me to listen to "Julie Ruin", the alter-ego of Hanna. I expected the blood curling screams that Hanna put forth with Bikini Kill, yet I was surprised to discover that Ruin sang catchy, pop techno that could be classified under new age 80's tunes. Not to say that this is a bad thing, in fact, it throws people off from the Kathleen Hanna the world knows from Bikini Kill and lets her branch off as "Julie Ruin", the Madonna-esque singer, that still contains all the intelligence, anger and irony that is forever embedded into Hanna's bloodstream. One of the most impressive factors of "Julie Ruin" is not only Hanna's ability to be diverse, but the fact that this album was made entirely in Hanna's apartment; mainly her bedroom using four-track and eight-track machines, cheap samplers, and a keyboard. With this equipment surrounding her, she produces golden tracks such as the anti-cop rant "I Wanna Know What Love Is", the dance song "A Place Called Won't Be There", and the thoughtful and hip-hop styled "Radical or Pro-Parental". Although most of this album strays away from the punk image Hanna obtained throughout the years, she comes back for a mere 2 minutes and 7 seconds for "The Punk Singer"; a commentary on the punk subculture. "Julie Ruin" is charming, witty, and as pointed as Hanna is; which is something everyone can enjoy, or at least, appreciate.

 

-Sarah K.-
Music scene reporter
Big Wheel Online Magazine
 

 

 

 

Music from the Used Record Bin