On September 8, 1998 "Hole" released their third album "Celebrity Skin".
It was a shimmering contrast to the rawness of their earlier work, signaling a bold new direction for the band. This album finds Courtney Love and her bandmates exploring a more polished, pop-oriented sound, with sharp hooks and glossy production that diverges from the grunge aesthetic of "Pretty on the Inside" from 1991 and "Live Through This" from 1994. This time, Courtney Love and the band set out to create what Love dubbed a "California album," reflecting on the glamorous yet toxic underbelly of Los Angeles. And indeed, "Celebrity Skin" balances the band's alt-rock edge with a surprising amount of mainstream appeal.
"Celebrity Skin" is notable for its broader collaborative efforts. While Love remained the lyrical architect of the record, five tracks featured instrumental contributions from Billy Corgan of the "Smashing Pumpkins", who helped Love sharpen her craft, pushing her toward more sophisticated song structures. This partnership, along with contributions from musicians like Jordon Zadorozny and "Go-Go's" guitarist Charlotte Caffey, added layers of complexity to the album’s sound. Despite this outside input, the core of "Hole's" identity remained intact, except for drummer Patty Schemel who was replaced by session drummer Deen Castronovo ("Journey", "Bad English", "Hardline"' and more) during the final studio sessions at the urging of producer Beinhorn.
The album is layered with metaphors of drowning and death, symbolically reflecting the personal losses experienced by both Erlandson and Auf der Maur, as well as the haunting presence of figures like Jeff Buckley, who had passed away during the album’s creation. These motifs run through songs like "Dying" and "Northern Star," where Love’s voice drips with raw emotion.
Musically, "Celebrity Skin" represents a blend of '90s post-grunge and polished alternative rock, with Beinhorn's sleek production steering "Hole" toward a more accessible sound. This shift allowed the band to reach a wider audience.
The title track, “Celebrity Skin,” opens the album with a blast of energy. It’s a biting commentary on Hollywood’s obsession with beauty and fame, propelled by a catchy, sun-soaked riff that makes it one of "Hole’s" most accessible songs. Love’s lyrics, both personal and biting, reflect her complicated relationship with stardom, balancing glamor and self-loathing. The song’s infectious chorus—“Oh, make me over!”—is emblematic of the album’s underlying tension between outward appearance and inner turmoil.
Tracks like “Malibu” further exemplify this tension. Lyrically, it’s a reflection on recovery and rebirth, while musically, it’s a polished alt-rock gem that leans into radio-friendly melodies. The album as a whole presents a veneer of California sunshine, but it never fully lets go of the darkness underneath, a duality that Love masterfully plays with throughout.
However, "Hole" doesn’t completely abandon their gritty roots. Songs like “Awful” and “Playing Your Song” still carry a biting edge, with Love’s snarling vocals and the band’s grunge-driven instrumentation cutting through the more refined production. This gives the album a sense of balance, ensuring that longtime fans won’t feel alienated by the band’s new sound.
While "Celebrity Skin" might lack the raw emotional intensity of "Live Through This", it succeeds in creating a sonic landscape that feels fresh, cohesive, and distinctly Californian. Love’s vulnerability is still present, but it’s wrapped in layers of irony and detachment, reflecting her own struggles with fame during the 1990s.
In the end, "Celebrity Skin" stands as a landmark album not only for "Hole" but also for 90s rock in general. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to evolve and adapt without losing their edge, and it remains an enduring piece of alternative rock history, blending introspection with the allure of Hollywood glamor. It is the band's most successful album to date and it is featured in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music
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