Le Tigre Album: “Feminist Sweepstakes [Bonus Track]”

"If I can't dance I don't want to be part of your revolution." Feminist icon Emma Goldman's request has finally been answered in the form of Le Tigre. Though sometimes criticized for abandoning a more traditional punk sound in favor of synthesizer beats, former Bikini Kill member(and brainchild behind the lesser known Julie Ruin)successfully proves that she has much to say and is no where close to finishing saying it.

On Feminist Sweepstakes, Le Tigre's sound has a much more produced quality than the grittier sound of previous albums, but nonetheless maintains the uninhibited rawness that has now become synonymous with the name Kathleen Hanna. Direct in their intent from the start, Kathleen & co. boldly declare their mission as a band "for the ladies and the fags," on the first track "LT Tour Theme," in such a way that is so genuinely endearing and grateful to their core audience that any lady or fag that refuses to get up and dance clearly has a heart of stone.

Le Tigre never fails in the ability to connect with their audience, and Kathleen illustrates exactly how she has become the feminist heroine she is on such tracks as "FYR." In what is perhaps the most lyrically poignant song on the record, the women of Le Tigre call out to all their fellow feminists to help knock down the patriarchy, throwing out mocking statements like "Yeah we got all the power getting stabbed in the shower/ and we got equal rights on ladies' night" that are sure to hit a nerve with any woman tired of playing the victim.

Sure, Le Tigre isn't exactly setting Shakespeare to music, and the lyrics may be lacking in poetic ambiguity, but that really isn't the point. Though often didactic and blunt, the honesty of Le Tigre's lyrics creates a poetic truthfulness all their own which never loses sight of its intent. "On Guard" is yet another track that declares the strong-willed, take-charge spirit of the band, a declaration of power in response to the cat calls and physical scrutiny women face on a daily basis.

At times, the message overpowers the music, such as on "Dyke March 2001," a recording of the event which, though successful in its message, lacks the melodic quality that would make it a song to listen to on repeat. Yet overall, there is a down-to-earth feel to Le Tigre's words, a practical brand of activism that understands and empathizes with their audience. Le Tigre shows heartfelt concern for the people whom they are singing to, as on the finale "Keep on Livin'," a refreshing break from the generic lyrics of uninvolved mainstream rock stars.

Kathleen has lost nothing in the shifting of genres; still the s'wheat lady that gave a voice to a generation of women, Kathleen is every bit as affective as she was in her Bikini Kill days.

Whatever inspired Kathleen Hanna to think activism needed a dance beat truly deserves any praise it receives.

If you are a fan of Le Tigre, you'll this latest edition of their off-beat style of music. I originaly fell in love with the band while watching the movie "Better Luck Tomorrow." Their song "Let's Run" is what originally drew me to the band. A nice alternative to most of the drab music on the radio.

Kathleen Hanna and co. stack the dack this outing a little more towards pure activism than great songs, and when the mix is particularly bad - in songs like "Much Finer" or the yawn of an interlude "Dyke March 2001" - the album can feel too weighty and self conscious for its own good. But when the activism and music lines up, the result is explosive. I'm talking about "Shred A," "Tres Bien" or "On Guard" where the band makes their vivid goal of agit-pop-punk a powerful, undismissable project.

Though I enjoyed their first CD, which I believe has a more real and uncut version of them. It's like they are not held back by some half brained producer in the studio, unlike this album. If this is your first purchase of Le Tegre, I would highly advise you to not judge them solely on this album.

True, they are one of my all time favorite girl-riot-true-uninhibited bands out there today, I am a critic. It seemed like to me that a few of the songs, were just thrown together to get the album out there. But a lot of the songs are so intricate and unique one of a kind, thus is why I even bothered with this purchase.

Here's a list of songs from this album that I think everyone will enjoy:

* Tres Bein

* Keep on livin'

* Fake French

* Dyke March 2001

Keep in mind, I do have an aquired taste, and among the pickiest of listeners.