L7 - Scatter The Rats

Released in 2019 via Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records, Scatter the Rats serves as L7’s gritty, no-nonsense comeback after a 20-year recording hiatus. Featuring the classic original lineup, the album bypasses modern production trends in favour of the band’s signature "sludge-pop" sound—a heavy blend of distorted grunge riffs, catchy punk hooks, and deadpan vocals. While it leans into a more polished, mid-tempo rock groove than the frantic chaos of their 1992 breakthrough Bricks Are Heavy, tracks like "Burn Baby" and "Fighting the Crave" prove the band hasn't lost their knack for writing high-energy, rebellious anthems.

Critical reception was generally warm, with many praising the record for sounding exactly like an L7 album should: tough, sardonic, and unpretentious. While some reviewers felt it lacked the "visceral danger" or biting political edge of their earlier work, most agreed it was a successful victory lap that solidified their legacy rather than tarnishing it. By focusing on meat-and-potatoes songwriting and their unmistakable chemistry, the band delivered a solid collection of songs that satisfied long-term fans and proved their brand of heavy rock remains relevant in the modern era.

Released in 2019 via Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records, Scatter the Rats serves as L7’s gritty, no-nonsense comeback after a 20-year recording hiatus. Featuring the classic original lineup of Donita Sparks, Suzi Gardner, Jennifer Finch, and Demetra Plakas, the album bypasses modern production trends in favour of the band’s signature "sludge-pop" sound. It is a heavy blend of distorted grunge riffs, catchy punk hooks, and deadpan vocals that sounds remarkably consistent with their 90s output, as if they simply stepped back into the studio after a long weekend.

While the album leans into a more polished, mid-tempo rock groove than the frantic chaos of their 1992 breakthrough Bricks Are Heavy, it maintains a formidable sonic weight. Tracks like "Burn Baby" and "Stadium West" showcase the band's knack for writing high-energy, rebellious anthems driven by thick, chugging guitar lines. The production, handled by Norm Block and Nick Launay, manages to capture the band's raw power without stripping away the grime that defines their aesthetic.

Critical reception was generally warm, with many praising the record for being tough, sardonic, and entirely unpretentious. Reviewers noted that L7 didn't try to reinvent themselves or chase current radio trends; instead, they leaned into their strengths as a premier live-sounding rock unit. While some critics felt the middle of the record lacked the "visceral danger" or biting political edge of their earlier work, most agreed it was a successful victory lap that solidified their legacy.

Ultimately, Scatter the Rats is a testament to the band’s enduring chemistry and their refusal to mellow with age. By focusing on meat-and-potatoes songwriting and their unmistakable "don't care" attitude, the band delivered a solid collection of songs that satisfied long-term fans and proved their brand of heavy rock remains vital. It stands as a rare example of a reunion album that feels necessary rather than nostalgic, re-establishing L7 as icons of the underground.

Ripped to MP3

1. Burn Baby (2:31)

2. Fighting the Crave (3:22)

3. Proto Prototype (3:12)

4. Stadium West (3:43)

5. Murky Water Cafe (4:00)

6. Ouija Board Lies (2:59)

7. Garbage Truck (2:27)

8. Holding Pattern (3:06)

9. Uppin' the Ice (3:33)

10. Cool About Easy (3:22)

11. Scatter the Rats (4:27)