Silence Yourself

Written on the label of Savages' debut album, Silence Yourself, are the words "Don't Let the Fuckers Get You Down," which is as good a summation of the album as any. Savages are three Englishwomen and a Frenchwoman who perform kick-ass, take-no-prisoners rock and roll, and they've made a sensational record.

The album opens with the song "Shut Up," which starts with a clip from John Cassavetes' film Opening Night. I still haven't ascertained the significance of that, but then the song erupts with the ferocious bass line of Ayse Hassan. She's just one of a trio of excellent musicians--Fay Hilton's drumming is terrific, especially on the song "Hit Me," while Gemma Thompson's guitar work is hypnotic as it is ear-piercing. At a certain point in the song "Waiting for a Sign" she lets loose with a squealing set of notes that could reduce your brain to jelly if you aren't properly warned.

The heart of the band, though, seems to be Jhenny Beth, the singer and lyricist. Her lyrics are cryptic, but you can tell they mean a lot to her. Many of the songs seem to be about sexual politics--"Hit Me," which has the line "I took a beating tonight and that's the best I ever had," could mean a number of things. Another song, "Husbands," could be ironic as well, as Beth sings about "My house, my bed, my husbands"--as if a man is just another object that one owns.

The sexual nature of women is also present in the song "She Will"--"She will open her heart, She will open her lips, she will choose to ignite, and never to extinguish. She will forget her pain, She will come back again, Get hooked on loving hard, Forcing the slut out."

Beyond the lyrical content, these songs rock. Every one of them has a delicious hook, and it's tough to pick a favorite. I'm fond of "Strife," and "No Face" would be popular on a dance floor. There is one instrumental, "Dead Nature," that sounds like the incidental music of a very creepy video game. "Marshal Dear" is the one that is set apart, as it's a melodic song with piano and clarinet, and would seem to be someone urging someone else to commit suicide: "I hope your breathing your last breath, Oh Marshal dear, And you will die, you will die soon." Given the spelling of the word marshal as a title rather than a name, this may refer to a war criminal of some sort.

Savages have fashioned a strong case for best debut of the year.