In the mid-nineties, the kids at K-Records promised free CDs 4 Lyfe to anyone brave enough to tattoo herself with the label's logo. I wouldn't have done that, but I might consider the Cherchez La Femme version. The label, founded by Sarah Dougher in response to the post-Mr. Lady void, is dedicated to the work of "ladies and queers" like Katastrophe, Sara Jaffe, and Dougher herself. It's vital work, and few others are doing it so actively (even if Dougher hasn't updated her website since the spring). Basically, I'd wheatpaste telephone poles and stand in the front row for any and all of these artists. But I wanna dance, too, and most of them don't exactly get me twitching. Usually, I'm left frustrated, torn between truth in folk or ass-shaking misogyny. God bless the Swallows, a Portland guitar/drum duo with bruising toms and clear, blue sky vox. They're nowhere near Sleater-Kinney's technical expertise, but I will say that when Em Brownlowe's voice soars halfway through "All the Wind in the World," I thought of Corin and almost cried. (And when guest Ruth Yoder (Sick Sick Sister) growls "I'm so fabulous! I'm so pr-etty" on the Radio Sloan remix of "Still Still Still", I nearly pumped my fists on public transit.) This is a 9-minute, 3-song release, so you might want to save your pennies for the full-length (out now), but christjesuslord, buy it and meet me near the stage. (MC)
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