The Butchies' debut is a mix 'n' match collection of genres, from classic rock- and riot grrrl-influenced punk to folk- and disco-driven dance beats. The results should probably end up a disastrous mishmash of clashing and crashing sounds, but the trio's
Are We Not Femme? is a glorious debut as
Kaia Wilson (ex-
Team Dresch),
Melissa York, and Alison Martlew stomp and stamp through various song styles like the pros they are. Perhaps most important to both band and fans, however, is the Butchies' front-and-center, loud-and-proud queer politics. Songs like "Ellen D." and "The Galaxy Is Gay" -- as well as every one of the 11 tracks here -- refuse to downplay the personal and political implications of growing up and living life as a lesbian, often earning the band the tag "queercore." On
Are We Not Femme?, however, the Butchies are diverse and ambitious enough to successfully avoid any easy categorization.