L7 Albums Ranked

L7 is an American rock band founded in Los Angeles, California, first active from 1985 to 2001 and re-formed in 2014. Their longest-standing lineup consists of Suzi Gardner (vocals, guitar), Donita Sparks (vocals, guitar), Dee Plakas (drums, vocals), and Jennifer Finch (bass, vocals). L7 has released seven studio albums and has toured widely in the US, Europe, Japan, Australia, and South America. “Pretend We’re Dead” was heavily played on US alternative radio and entered the top 10 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart in 1992. Recognized for being simultaneously subversive and infused with humor, L7 is known for consistently delivering spirited live performances with physical, ferocious sets. Due to their sound and image, L7 is often associated with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s; As an all-female band, L7 formed Rock for Choice in 1991 and have, at times, also been linked to riot grrrl, although they preceded and are outliers of both the grunge and riot grrrl movements. The band’s name, L7, derives from a slang term for square and was deliberately chosen as a gender-neutral sign. A documentary film about the band, L7: Pretend We’re Dead, premiered in 2016. Here are all of L7’s albums ranked.

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7. Scatter The Rats (2019)

“The stars aligned and L7 is back with us! The new album sounds like classic L7 but also has modern appeal. There are songs that sound like they could have fit right in on Hungry for Stink, Slap Happy, or Beauty Process. Every member brings their own ingredient. Donita brings the pop sensibilities, Suzi the gritty sludge, Dee’s driving beats and Jennifer’s high octane energy. Fighting the Crave is an example how L7 can tackle any subject with humor and punch.”

6. Smell The Magic (1990)

“The album’s short, but their cool songs do make up for it. Fast and Frightening is probably the most overrated song on the album, but it really is a bad ass jam. Now that I’ve listened to the whole thing, Shove, Fast and Frightening, Deathwish, and Packin’ a Rod are my favorite songs on the album.”

5. L7 (1988)

“To start with, I have to say that I discovered L7 kind of late … having heard “Shove” in the movie Tank Girl. I have been a fan ever since. Even so, it’s taken me a while to get around to buying more of their music. This being their first album, they are raw, high energy and hard … all the things that L7 is known for. If you like hard-driving punk/metal music, you’ll almost certainly like L7, and this album is a must.”

4. Slap-Happy (1999)

“L7 is one of those rare bands that gets better with time. Slap Happy was L7’s last offering before the band took an infinite hiatus. Each release, one after another, was better than the previous album and they continue the tradition here. With hooky choruses and and heavy guitars from songs such as Crackpot Baby they’ve delivered the goods in rebellious fashion. The record features the signature L7 sounds like the menacing slow riffs of On My Rockin’ Machine, to the military tank delivery of War With You, to the phaser swirls found on Livin’ Large etc.”

See more: Stone Temple Pilots Songs Ranked

3. The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum (1997)

“These girls freaken rock, and even though there lyrics aren’t quite the best, I’ve heard a lot worse on the mainstream radio. The don’t sugarcoat anything at all. They tell it how they see it through their eyes. The basic fact is, these girls know how to jam. There is no other band that does it quite like them. They’ll go down in my musical history books.”

2. Hungry For Stink (1994)

“I feel like L7 really peaked on this one. A very brave release that is more metal and less pop than Bricks. This album can easily stand with classics like Paranoid, Ace of Spades, Nevermind, anything really. The production is first rate, as are the songs, which as usual are both angry and intelligent. Gender is irrelevant here. L7 made classic rock. This album has actually gotten better with time. It needs to be heard in one sitting in its entirety by anyone who cares about rock.”

1. Bricks Are Heavy (1992)

“L7s best- raw gritty lyrics set to a pounding beat- you can listen to it in the background- you can listen to it running around- you can dance to it upon the ground- you will really like this sound. Feel their rage. Whether it’s real or simulated emotion it’s worth listening to. You may remember them from the movie Serial Mom. Classic music.”