Discography

Auf der Maur

By Auf der Maur

PulseWeekly.com

Yeah, there is definitely something cool about girls who can kick you in the mouth with their music. There's just this feeling you get when you listen to a women sing "I will taste you..." that is unlike anything imaginable. It's kind of like watching girls swim, except with rock. Except with more rock.

Melissa Auf Der Maur used to be in Hole, which couldn?t have been easy. I don't know anyone who wants to deal with Courtney Love and her rock and roll outbursts. After Hole disbanded Auf Der Maur joined Smashing Pumpkins for a little bit for their last tour. Billy Corgan has another one of those "I'm a big f--king star so worship me" kind of attitudes. So Auf Der Maur has been around the block musically, and with her first solo project, she seems to draw the most from her past sonic experiences.

The album starts off with the Pumpkins-inspired Lighting Is My Girl and Followed The Waves. Both of which bring me back to my youth, when I wanted to steal an ice cream truck and drive it through the desert, then cover it with paint and kiss the bass player. Ah ... nostalgia. But this moment of joy is interrupted by the third track, Real A Lie.

I stopped dead in my tracks, and realized Auf Der Maur is not fully drawing from her musical history; she's creating her own gradually. She delivers some musical nods and winks to Corgan and Love, but the comparisons are more like crutches that she's using before she fully steps out on her own.

Each track has its own unique feel, which is important to the overall vibe of the record - it keeps everything interesting and doesn't leave you thinking, 'Change it up already! This is boring.' Songs like Head Unbound and I'll Be Anything You Want are perfect compliments to the flow of the record. Consistency is also key, and even when Auf Der Maur strays away from the norm, she doesn't wander too far. Her songs range from pure pop to hard rock to slow rock pop. All of which are productive members in the Auf Der Maur musical family.

The record was refreshing to listen to. The chordal patterns were interesting, staying away from the typical overused verses and choruses that plague our radio waves. Stringed instruments are incorporated throughout the album as well, which is cool. But the album rocks, and that's the most important thing. Melissa, keep rocking.

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