Review
The Sick Lipstick
Sting, Sting, Sting

Tiger Style (2003) Eric

The Sick Lipstick – Sting, Sting, Sting cover artwork
The Sick Lipstick – Sting, Sting, Sting — Tiger Style, 2003

Everyone enjoys a little no-wave now and again, right? Anyone who is into The Red Light Sting, Arab on Radar, or Black Cat #13 will enjoy this. In fact, half of The Sick Lipstick is composed of members from Black Cat #13, and they have done a split with XBXRX.

It seems like music this cool can only come from Canada. Most of the better no-wave acts are offerings from our friends to the North. Further proving Canada's superiority, The Sick Lipstick plays music that somehow, simultaneously manages to be abrasive and catchy. Vocalist Lindsey Gillard has a bratty voice that would probably be at home on a Bratmobile record, and she utilizes it to spit out abstract poetry that almost always contains some kind of sexual undertones. Meanwhile, in the background a mishmash of guitar, drum and keyboard plays, always threatening to go off the edge into an indiscernible mess...but never quite going that far. These tunes are definitely catchy and danceable. Check out "10-4, Can You Read Me," "Get Up! Catch Up," and "Zombie Cookie" for great examples of the chaos/catchy fusion that they have perfected.

If you've been privy to The Sick Lipstick's previous efforts, you'll be very pleased when you hear this record. Their old songs were raw and hinted towards this "catchy" direction, but were still very abrasive and at times a chore to listen to. "Sting Sting Sting," however, is about as pop as this particular style of music can probably get...in fact, it's one of the best no-wave records I have heard in awhile.

8.0 / 10Eric • February 28, 2004

The Sick Lipstick – Sting, Sting, Sting cover artwork
The Sick Lipstick – Sting, Sting, Sting — Tiger Style, 2003

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