Louise Post – Sleepwalker – Album Review
by Killian Laher

Although the two Veruca Salt albums released in the 2000s were, to all intents and purposes, Louise Post solo albums (as herself and Nina Gordon were not in contact), this is her first official solo album.

Those who enjoy Veruca Salt’s heavy, meaty riffs may be disappointed here as this album is much more of a mixed bag.   Gordon was considered the more commercial songwriter of the two with Post responsible for grittier fare, but on the evidence of this album, that’s a simplification.  It opens with the Garbage-channelling Queen of the Pirates, with Post ‘do-doing’ just like Shirley Manson.  The rocky, two-minute thrash Guilty evokes the Pixies.  These two tracks are red herrings, not really an indication of the rest of the album.

What About is smoother with synths but here Louise Post sounds more comfortable, similarly on the power ballad All Messed Up, which is a little reminiscent of Lana del Rey.  Elsewhere, Killer is a ringer for Bowie’s Suffragette City, complete with grungy guitars and twinkling piano, while Post’s ‘do-dos’ return on the poppy Hollywood Hills.

Later on the album, All These Years tips its 90s hat to Soccer Mommy, while God I Know is a gorgeous, shimmering acoustic ballad, with Post singing “I’m sorry I’m not a better example”.  The album ends with a final rocky flourish in the shape of The Way We Live.

There’s nothing particularly jarring here, but not a lot of it makes much impression sadly.  Stick with the Veruca Salt albums from the ’90s.

Guilty