An often-overlooked gem of the 1990s that helped give rise to the riot grrl era.
Babes in Toyland was one of the most influential and underrated bands of the 1990s. They rode the wave of the Minneapolis grunge scene by crafting a unique sound composed of self-taught instrumentation and unabashed, banshee-raging vocals. Their stage presence was enigmatic, their lyrics vitriolic, and their kinderwhore fashion ironic and easy to emulate. Their ethos and unique brand of sisterhood inspired the subcultural riot grrrl movement and legendary bands including 7 Year Bitch, Bikini Kill, and Hole.
Despite media politicization, the band insisted their music was about personal expression, not politics. Though they dismissed feminist labels, their actions showed audiences what space for women in music could look like. Now, almost thirty years after the release of their seminal record Fontanelle, the legend of the band is resurrected, re-spun, and reclaimed.

33 1/3 is a series of short books about popular music, focusing on individual albums that influenced music history.