Track Listing 1. On the Verge 2. Seconds 3. Don't Drink Poison 4. After Dark 5. Nanny Nanny Boo Boo 6. TKO 7. Tell You Now 8. New Kicks 9. Viz 10. This Island 11. I'm So Excited 12. Sixteen 13. Punker Plus
| Details | | Producer: | Le Tigre, Nicholas Sansano | | Distributor: | Universal Distribution | | Recording Type: | Studio | | Recording Mode: | Stereo | | SPAR Code: | n/a |
Album Notes Le Tigre: Johanna Fateman, Kathleen Hanna, J.D. Samson. Recording information: Jarvis Studio, New York, NY. With 2004's THIS ISLAND, original "riot grrl" Kathleen Hanna and friends unleash another blast of political electro-pop, this time on a major label. The vibe here is smoother than previous Le Tigre outings; a welcome heaping of sugar in the sociologically acidic coffee. On-key and demure, the gang's philosophical agenda takes a backseat to feel-good craziness backed up by funk beats groovy enough--and synth lines catchy enough--to power a dozen slumber/dance parties. The group's allegiance to the sounds of the early 1980s is officially unveiled with a cover of the Pointer Sisters' "I'm So Excited" and the presence of the Cars' Ric Ocasek, who produces one track ("Tell You Now"). Meanwhile, "TKO" and "On the Verge" unite Pat Benatar/Joan Jett rock-chick oomph with B-52's-style New Wave in unholy matrimony. Galvanizing shout-outs like "Nanny Nanny Boo Boo" and "Don't Drink Poison" are still here to wake the jaded to arms in proper old-school "grrl" style, but, overall, this is a welcome step off the indie mainland. On THIS ISLAND, the message is clear--there's no point in savagely attacking the patriarchy unless you can dance around in your underwear at the same time.
Editorial Reviews THIS ISLAND's polished production - a new aesthetic for Le Tigre - amplifies their voice for peace into a roar. CMJ
Le Tigre make a convincing case for synthpop as an instrument of liberation theology. The Wire
5 out of 5 - [A] career-arching centerpiece that doesn't lose the kids or forget to dupe the suits into releasing a protest march as the first single. Alternative Press
3 stars out of 5 - A combustible mix of self-righteous rage, irony and lo-fi groove logic....When they're good they're grrreat. Mojo
[With] cheerleader choruses and beats that snap, skip, an glisten like something out of a '79 discotheque. - Grade: B- Entertainment Weekly
Ranked #22 in Spin's 40 Best Albums of the Year - They produced a vivid, clear, stunningly original love letter to New York City. Spin
Kathleen Hanna's voice shreds through a popping landscape of synths and Italo-disco beats....Le Tigre's endless energy and choreographed spunk still makes THIS ISLAND sizzle with hope and inspiration. - Grade: B+ Spin
3 stars out of 5 - On THIS ISLAND, The Day-Glo heroines of Le Tigre mutate music from all of yesterday's parties - electronica, hip-hop and punk - into a very now thing of their own. Rolling Stone
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