LiLiPUT (Kleenex): Liliput auf 2 CDs

Kill Rock Stars is very proud to present one of the most sought-after, critically-acclaimed pieces of post-punk history. Out-of-print for almost a decade now, the complete works of Kleenex / LiLiPUT are now available once again. Kleenex / LiLiPUT (The Complete Recordings) is a compilation album by LiLiPUT, formerly known as "Kleenex".Kleenex was Znrich, Switzerland's contribution to the world of female punk. The group started out in 1978 and evolved through numerous personnel changes throughout the next five years, touring with bands such as Spizzenergi, The Raincoats and Gang of Four. Only Klaudia, alternating between guitar and bass, was a constant factor from beginning to end. In 1980, the group changed their name to Liliput (due to pressures from the Kleenex tissue company) and continued under that moniker until their demise in 1983."You can't dispute Liliput's status as pioneers of feminist art-punk. Along with fellow travelers like the Slits and the Raincoats, this (mostly) female Swiss group took advantage of punk's anything-goes attitude and created jittery, spirited pop that was both in step with the times and completely singular. But even if Liliput hadn't paved the way for other guitar-wielding patriarchy-smashers, The Complete Recordings would still prove one thing: They were totally fun. This double-CD retrospective gathers 46 songs recorded under five different lineups from 1978 to 1983, including their initial tracks under the name Kleenex (a certain global conglomerate demanded the name change). The early material is a riot of exuberant energy, taking stylistic cues from peers like Gang of Four and Wire--propulsive bass, skittering pop rhythms, slashing guitars--and adding distinctive overlapping vocal patterns, which are sung, shrieked, and hiccupped in three languages and made-up dadaistic slang. More than 20 years on, it still sounds fresh. It's edifying to hear a track like "_," with its elastic aggression, cheeky, monkeylike squeaks, and punky-tough guitars, and realize it was recorded by...