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As the producer of 'Harlowland' Pat Smear refused to try to tame the women. He let Harlow do what Harlow does. He didn't even make them brush their hair. No shiny, happy music here. Instead, the listener bears witness to disturbing guitar work that is on the brink of madness, and manic rhythms that mimic a heart beating in panic and then slowing down to what sounds like heavy sobbing.
Chimene plays her bass like it's a six-string guitar, and in some states I think that's illegal. But Chimene is a rebel, and a Californian. She does what she the hell she wants. And we love it. Rebecca the goddess of thunder and flaming cymbals. On 'Harlowland', her delicate pounce and her vicious kisses upon her drum kit will make you tinkle with excitement in your tight red leather pants.
I like how Amanda's vocals change on every track. And I like when she screams in not so quiet desperation, but I love it when she drops an octave or two to wickedly scorn and disgrace the one who lied. Her lyrics are cryptic, her delivery hypnotic.
I like that there's no flashy guitar solos. But there's definitely some scary, emotion fueled screeching coming out of the amps. Guitar sounds that have no doubt escaped from deep within the hearts and souls of two women ridden with pain, anger and sadness.
'Harlowland' is one of the few debut records I've heard where all tracks are potential singles. That says a lot for the songwriting of such a young band.
Though she appeared on the album, Rayshele left Harlow in early 2002. While she searches for darker shadows I will miss that anti-Christian chick. Stepping under the green and blue stage lights is Melody. Everybody kneel and bow at her broken guitar strings and bloody fingers.
www.harlowland.com
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