STICKY RICE
Take Out
(Bobby Dazzler)

“Hm, is this supposed to be Canada’s version of Shonen Knife, or something?” I thought as I popped in the debut CD from this all-female Toronto trio. But the very first track, “Defenses Down,” told me this is not cringeworthy twee with cute Asian accents. Instead it is hard-hitting guitar pop with ‘70s and ‘80s arena rock and punk influences and copious vocal harmonies, à la Sloan, but with a Go-Go’s twist. The punkier latter half of the recording belies an innate fixation with early 90s femme-grunge, championed by a wide selection of obvious influences such as Bikini Kill and the Breeders. Rock on, Rice Girls!

Spike