Smell the Magic cover

Smell the Magic

L7

Released

With what in retrospect would be the classic lineup of the band now set, L7 took a label detour from Epitaph to Sub Pop for their second release Smell The Magic, a six song EP given an expanded CD version including some covers. But it was the originals that said it all: from the opening number “Shove,” Donita Sparks snarling a righteous claiming of space over a big metal stomp, the band are on fire throughout. Other standouts: the brawling kick of “Fast and Frightening,” the celebratory “Till the Wheels Fall Off” and the ominous churn of “Deathwish.”

Ned Raggett

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