Smell the Magic cover

Smell the Magic

L7

Released

With what in retrospect would be the classic lineup of the band now set, L7 took a label detour from Epitaph to Sub Pop for their second release Smell The Magic, a six song EP given an expanded CD version including some covers. But it was the originals that said it all: from the opening number “Shove,” Donita Sparks snarling a righteous claiming of space over a big metal stomp, the band are on fire throughout. Other standouts: the brawling kick of “Fast and Frightening,” the celebratory “Till the Wheels Fall Off” and the ominous churn of “Deathwish.”

Ned Raggett

Recommended by

Suggestions
Nerves cover

Nerves

The Doublehappys
Substance cover

Substance

Joy Division
Mezcal Head cover

Mezcal Head

Swervedriver
Gish cover

Gish

The Smashing Pumpkins
Skin Yard cover

Skin Yard

Skin Yard
TRB 2 cover

TRB 2

Tom Robinson Band
AK•79 cover

AK•79

Various Artists
The Undertones cover

The Undertones

The Undertones
Chrome cover

Chrome

Catherine Wheel