Artist: Babes In Toyland Album: Fontanelle

Year: 1992
Duration: 37:09

A of the Album: Fontanelle by Babes In Toyland

In the early 90s, grunge music was king and Babes In Toyland was one of the few all-female bands that made an impact in the music industry. Their second studio album, Fontanelle, is widely considered as the pinnacle of their career. The album was released in 1992 and was a milestone in grunge music. In this post, we'll take a closer look at Fontanelle, its historical importance, best tracks, innovative parts, and my overall criticism of the album.

History of Babes In Toyland:

Babes In Toyland was formed in 1987 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band comprises of Kat Bjelland (vocals, guitar), Lori Barbero (drums), and Michelle Leon (bassist for this album). The band was heavily influenced by punk rock and feminist ideologies. But they made a distinction from traditional punk rock bands by bringing a more aggressive, faster, and heavier sound. Babes In Toyland was one of the few all-female bands that could hold its own with the male-dominated grunge scene of the 90s.

The Music Genre of Fontanelle:

Fontanelle is categorized primarily as a grunge album, but it's not your typical grunge album. The album has a unique sound characterized by heavy distortion, monstrous riffs, and pounding drums. What sets it apart from other grunge albums of the era is its raw energy and aggression. It's an album that's unapologetic, in-your-face, and loud.

Best Songs of the Album:

Fontanelle is full of great songs, but the standout tracks are Bruise Violet, Bluebell, and Spun. Bruise Violet is the album's most recognizable track and epitomizes the band's style. It's a raucous track with a memorable chorus and a catchy riff. Bluebell is a slower, more melodic track that showcases the band's versatility. Spun is a short, fast, and frenetic track that will leave you breathless.

The Most Innovative Parts:

The most innovative part of Fontanelle is its unrelenting energy. The album rarely lets up, and the band's performance is almost flawless. The standout part of the album is the guitar work of Kat Bjelland. Her riffs are monstrous, and her solos are intense and blistering. Lori Barbero's drumming is superb, and Michelle Leon's bass provides a solid foundation for the album's loudest moments.

A Critique of the Album:

As great as Fontanelle is, it's not without flaws. The album is inconsistent, and some of the tracks are forgettable. The production is also a bit muddy and could have been cleaner. The songwriting is also not as strong as it could have been. The band relies heavily on their sound rather than their lyrics, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But when compared to other grunge bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam, Babes In Toyland's songwriting falls short.
As great as Fontanelle is, it's not without flaws. The album is inconsistent, and some of the tracks are forgettable. The production is also a bit muddy and could have been cleaner. The songwriting is also not as strong as it could have been. The band relies heavily on their sound rather than their lyrics, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But when compared to other grunge bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam, Babes In Toyland's songwriting falls short.
Fontanelle is a classic grunge album with a unique sound, unforgettable riffs, and an unrelenting energy that's hard to match. The album's standout tracks are memorable, and it's an album that every grunge fan should listen to. But it's not a perfect album, and it has its flaws. Nonetheless, Fontanelle is an essential album in the history of grunge music and Babes In Toyland's career.