*** L7

SLAPP-HAPPY

(Wax Tadpole)

My take on L7 will forever be tainted by one glorious, delirious, vivacious set witnessed while the band were sharing a stage with the Beastie Boys a few years ago. From "The Girl Can't Help It" on, rock and roll sinks or swims on rhythm (it's different with "rock," but let's not sweat the semantics), and when the Cali quartet -- now a trio with the exit of bassist Gail Greenwood -- are at their best, thrust is the most magnificent element of their sound.

A return to indieville after years in the Warner Bros. corral, Slapp-Happy finds a variety of ways to cast the incredible forward motion that's made the band's post-Ramones punk pop so glorious, delirious, and vivacious. Any album that begins with Donita Sparks riding a wave of mutilation while urping "aghhh" is working the classic L7 mode, and speed-metal mantras like "Crackpot Baby" have no problem whooshing you away. Ditto for "Lackey" and "On My Rockin' Machine," which find the gals understanding the emotional implication of every tempo they employ. "Got some lemons/Make some kick-ass lemonade," they proclaim on "Livin' Large." The ladies may be livin' small, but Slapp-Happy proves they've still got the juice.

-- Jim Macnie