Overlooked Classics: Hole- Pretty On The Inside

You love Nevermind. I love Nevermind. We all do. But let’s not overlook Hole’s ferocious debut studio album from 1991, Pretty On The Inside.

The kinder whore aesthetic, as it had been unfortunately termed, suited the sound: ripped lace, torn tights and smudged makeup. The Slits, as far as I’m concerned, invented the look. Courtney Love and co ran with it. Their sound was anguished howls, screams, guitars like blisters. It was punk rock.

Viv Albertine of The Slits by Anton Corbijn, 1980.

Produced by Kim Gordon, no less, these songs- slices of violence, sadness, frustration and outrage- came out as the more underground movement, riot grrrl, was also emerging, but we all know about the rivalry between Love and Kathleen Hanna. Let’s not go there.

It still sounds fierce. I look at bands like Wet Leg and English Teacher today and think, “Why do polite?” It’s radio indie that’s so safe and nice, but postures like it’s alternative. Courtney Love didn’t give a shit what people thought about her, or her vicious music. She never has, and never will. She wasn’t looking to be commercial at this stage. She was all about the catharsis.

These are not songs to be whistled by your dad, heading off to work. These are confrontational, provocative, art that stares back and dares you to intervene. What a debut, and what a statement of intent to lead with. Not everyone gets it. Others forget this came out as Nirvana went stratospheric. Others still resent Courtney Love. Never mind.