Today marks the 20th anniversary of Hole's Live Through This album. Not only is this one of my favorite albums of all time but Hole is also the home of one of my favorite rock stars, Courtney Love. I have had a huge girl crush on Ms. Love since I was a kid. She's the reason I attempted to play guitar (that lasted about 2 weeks) and why I wrote my future occupation as "Rock Star" in my 8th grade yearbook (please refer to the former part of this sentence for that outcome).
I remember the day I purchased Live Through This. I bought it in 1999 at Best Buy right before hitting up the local Wendy's and sneaking into the R rated movie Varsity Blues with a friend. Needless to say, my love for the album outlasted my love for the movie. Afterwards I went home and listened to the CD on my Discman and I don't think I listened to anything else for the next week. I was 12 years and absolutely taken with this woman yelling in my ear over 90's grunge rock. I loved the garage-esque sound of the music and the lyrics were probably one of my first encounters with what I would consider "ugly-pretty-cool."
I not only became entranced by the music but also by her style. She was the ultimate 90's grunge princess. Babydoll dresses paired with combat boots and smeared red lips with a cigarette in her mouth. Maybe even a tiara and a fur. In later years Ms. Love would trade in her babydoll dresses for high fashion gowns and even be included in a Saint Laurent campaign but she always somehow managed to stay true to herself and her persona. It was just the evolution of a badass rock star.
So, cheers to you, Courtney and Hole! You've made an album that I still know every word to and will most likely continue to blast and sing along to until I'm 80. I'll end this post as Hole ended their album..."goooood....bye!"
