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Punks not dead

03/12/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gilmore Tamny is a legend in the riot-grrl scene--and one smart enough not to like "riot-grrl" labels, either. The Yips features her lilting vocals and raw guitar backed only by a drummer (Jon Davidson). Basement (or is it bedroom?)-quality production adds to the feel of immediacy and desperation in the dear-diary lyrics. The album shifts from headlong philosophy-punk ("It's a Way Out") to self-effacing humor ("Tin Ear") to pop-without-the-formula ("Feed the Ducks"). Diverse and defiantly original, with no concession to expectations, be they pop, feminist, macho-rocker, whatever. A truly independent voice--and one of the best--from this "indie" decade. Check out Tamny's "Wiglet" zine and poetry book, too, if ya can find 'em."