Jack Off Jill

Riot grrrl '90s act Jack Off Jill set themselves apart from bands like L7 and Bikini Kill with a unique ploy: acid-tongued lyrics belted from the itty-bitty voice of frontwoman Jessicka. The singer's childlike timbre partnered with typical alt-rock guitar thrash was a cleverly ironic statement, marring demure femininity with unforgiving and cathartic vulgarity. While the nasty/nice juxtaposition didn't have the strength or staying power to lift Jack Off Jill out of relative obscurity, it did earn them a cult following who should readily approve of their 2006 compilation Humid Teenage Mediocrity. This disc showcases 24 of the band's best songs, drawing not only from their two full-length studio albums but also from cassette demos and 7"s that never saw an official release. The disc lacks some fan favorites like "Strawberry Gashes" and the group's cover of the Cure's "Love Song," but fans will probably still want to pick it up for tunes like "Everything's Brown" and "Chocolate Chicken," which have never before been widely available. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Music Guide