Laura Jane Grace - Hole in My Head

I'm not as into punk as I was in high school, but there are a few bands and musicians that I'm on the lookout for. Anything 'Against Me!' is one of them.

Other people are more suited to talk about what Laura Jane Grace has been through, and it's been said a hundred times, so I'll just skip the fun parts.

'Against Me!' drew my attention through their driving guitar riffs and thought provoking lyrics. I don't agree with everything they've written, as I'm not an anarchist, but their songs about religious abuse or drug issues resonate with me. I don't do drugs, but they're hella heavy tracks. The record that really dragged me in was Transgender Dysphoria Blues, which is odd because I'm not trans. I might be ace, but I don't think that counts. I do like to think I'm an ally, but does basic human respect count as being on one's side?

But that was the past!

Laura Jane Grace has been pretty prolific since the world ended. 'Against Me!' started writing a new album, but that fell through. Instead, she wrote her first solo album. And then an EP came out. I haven't listened to either of them because I'm a fake fan! And now we're up to her newest release, Hole In My Head. Several singles were released ahead of time, but I skipped them so as not to spoil anything. Upon first listen, I think that was a good call!


Track one is the title track, "Hole In My Head." Verse one is about how sex is a "chore." The second is how "the scene" isn't the best place to be. The chorus is a repeating line "I need a hole in my head" ad naseum until we hear "I won't learn to feel less" interrupts. I originally thought this track was about a failed relationship. Grace got divorced shortly after coming out, but I've read that was amicable. The final section is a growth from the "won't learn to feel less" part, which makes me think this might be a song about overcoming general pain and being yourself. The music is three chords played for all 1:42, but it's peppy!

"I'm Not a Cop" sounds like a song The Ramones would write if they were a rockabilly group instead. Lyrically, it's pretty obvious what it's about. Grace isn't a cop. Assuming she's still punk as funk, this is an idea she's happy to proclaim. It also mentions stuff I don't really understand about Los Angeles, but I have to assume the song, as a whole, is about learning as you grow and experience things. Maybe you discover and realize good things, like you're not a cop. Perhaps it's stuff that's unimportant, like this city isn't so bad after all? I laughed at the section with the stereotypical "you gotta tell me you're a cop" bit. "Don't be a cop."

"Dysphoria Hoodie" is something I can fully understand. The simple folk-punk acoustic guitar plays beneath an ode to the almighty hooded sweatshirt my generation dons constantly. The hoodie makes us feel safe and warm when everything around us sucks. I don't get the "help me Jesus" part, but maybe that's just a joke over my head? I should probably wash my USU hoodie more often. I miss my Undertaker hoodie from high school...

"Birds Talk Too" is something I can't get my head around. It references a bar and grill chain in Chicago (Rookies), the Amsterdam airport, and some drug and alcohol references. And where would be a strange place to play Red Hot Chilli Peppers but would still play RHCP? I wonder if this is a personal story about a moment (or four weeks)? The calling vocals make this sound like a good time, but you can't be sure. I'd talk about the music, but it's a guitar and drum playing six notes for two minutes.

A two minute song happily recalling playing "Punk Rock in Basements" is an apt title for the lyrics. As someone who once played punk in a basement, this resonates with me. I have no idea what Klint was yelling.

"Cuffing Season" is an easy song to understand. It's about surrendering to what may come. If you're depressed, then just go do something. "Show me something/Make me feel I've never seen/felt before." The heaviest line is, "If you're not afraid to die then ... proof it!" I think my therapist said something similar once. If you want to die, then what's the worst thing that can happen.

"Tacos and Toast" is a song not about tacos or toast. Grace has an inconsistent naming scheme. It's about a relationship that went poorly, and now the writer is regretting a lot of choices, mostly a tattoo.

"Mercenary" contains lyrics that give me abusive relationship vibes. The first verse depicts a person who looks like they were assaulted. The chorus alludes to being happily looted. This is the most complicated song in terms of composition so far. It begins with a single acoustic guitar but builds up into a rock anthem, oddly enough.

At 2:40, "Keep Your Wheels Straight" is the longest song on the album. Although the last six seconds are silence... This seems to be about someone depressed but trying to "keep the faith" that everything will be okay. But verse one is about a loved one parting at CBGBs while they're camping on their floor alone. But if they "keep the wheels straight," then Bon Jovi will come back! Considering the downbeat nature of the guitar, I have a bad feeling about this, though.

"Hard Feelings" is a song of regret. The writer knows they've messed up and even seems to have known it in the moment. The last lines about burning bridges while using them is the hard truth. The chorus states that "alcohol, weed, porn, and cocaine" are the downfall of it all. At least they admit to being an asshole?

"Give Up the Ghost" has two lyrical sections. But one is spoken once. The writer seems prepared to die, which is what "give up the ghost" means. But I think they're afraid of what their body will become. They don't want to become "an empty vessel. Just machine at the most." The middle part is about praying to god. They say they're ready there, too, but they're also not ready. Is Laura okay? I understand what's going on as someone who's been at rock bottom for as long as I have been. I want to die, and I've even prayed to god for a reason to keep living. I haven't found that, but here I am. I know LJG has tried suicide before transitioning, so I hope this is just an old thought.

And with that, I can finish my thoughts.

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Skill: Folk punk is a strange genre for me. As a metal enthusiast, I find it odd that an entire song can be less than three minutes and contain one guitar riff. This happens quite a lot throughout the album. But the riffs here work for what LJC wants. Regardless, it's enjoyable and great! 2/2

Variation: Short songs lead to another interesting click in my review process. How can there be a change of riffs and keys in a two minute song? At least every track is drastically different from others on the album. There are a number of fast paced punk songs, as well as plenty of mellow acoustic guitars. And the way Grrace can alter her vocal melody and spit out her stories hits differently. 1/2

Bangers: Zero right now, but keep 'em eye out for the future. 0/2

Replayability: I can praise short songs now because they make it easy to jump back into whenever. 2/2

Extras: Eleven tracks clock in at less than half an hour. As a kid, I'd feel so cheated if I bought an album that can be played in its eternity on my walk to school. Now, though, in the time of streaming, there's nothing wrong with it, and I'll take a shorter experience than one that runs too long. 2/2

Grand Total: 7/10

It's short and super sweet. I'd be shocked if I don't return to this randomly, either as a song or as a whole. I like 'Against Me!,' and I like sad acoustic songs. So I dig all of this.