Ahh... another example of the new "classic" grrrl-punk.  This 4-piece outfit from merry old England again shows up mainstream American punk, which has no stand-out female acts.

   The set on this EP, recorded on 09 September 1997, shows a lot of energy, and 3 new songs.  It's not often that one wants to hear bitching and whining, but, set to a loud, hyper background, its hard not to enjoy songs such as "Daddy I Want A Pony" and "Ex-Boyfriend".  Childish as these tracks may be, isn't punk in its purest form just expression of teenage rage? This teen-angst content is even more present in the closing track, "Homework", in which the lead singer takes on the role of an "oppressor" with a chorus consisting simply of, "Do your homework / You can't win / Do your homework / Do your homework / Do your homework!!!" (of course it probably sounds stupid written in this review, but trying to confine the Pains' incredible energy on paper is difficult, as with any good punk band).

   But their shining moment is with their Spice Girls diss, aptly titled "Spice Girls (who do you think you are?)".  The first and last parts of the song are taunts against each separate member, when in the middle the pace slows down so we can hear "You're not girls you're women / you're boring and you're lame / you try to say you're different / when in fact you're all the same"... ouch.  I don't have the original 7", so I don't know if it's like that on the album as well, but either way, it's a slick track, with a "stab-and-run" approach, as opposed to most disses (especially in the rap world) where the insults are emphasized over and over throughout the song.  I believe this diss was done more in fun than out of total hate, and the reason it got a bit of airplay in the UK is probably because it is a fun, energetic track.

   If you want something deep, don't get this... but then again, since when has punk been deep? If you want something fun and new however, feel free to pick this up.  Finally, if you're passing through Streetlight Records (replace w/ local independent used record store if needed) and see this CD for less than $10 and have the ultimatum of this or Hole (nothing against Ms. Love of course!), make the same choice your friendly neighborhood webmaster did and pick it up.  Either of the latter situations will not be disappointed =).