Celebrity Skin [UK Limited Editon Bonus CD]

Hole: Courtney Love (vocals, guitar); Eric Erlandson (guitar); Melissa Auf Der Maur (bass); Patty Schemel (drums).
Additional personnel: David Campbell, Craig Armstrong (strings); Michael Beinhorn, Paul DeCarli, Max Risenhoover, Chris Vrenna, Nick Franglen (programming).
Principally recorded at Conway Studios, Los Angeles, California.
CELEBRITY SKIN was nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.
"Celebrity Skin" was nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or A Group With Vocal and Best Rock Song. "Malibu" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal.
Personnel: Chris Whitemyer (guitar, drums); David Campbell , Craig Armstrong (strings); Chris Vrenna , Max Risenhoover, Michael Beinhorn, Nick Franglen, Paul DeCarli (programming).
Audio Mixers: Chris Lord-Alge; Jack Joseph Puig; Tom Lord-Alge.
Recording information: Big Day Out, Melbourne, Australia (01/26/1999/01/23/1999); Big Day Out, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (01/26/1999/01/23/1999); Conway Studios, Los Angeles, CA (01/26/1999/01/23/1999).
Photographer: Richard Prince.
After getting more press than O.J. Simpson, Courtney Love and Hole went underground to put together this quality, guitar-driven rock/pop release. CELEBRITY SKIN is packed from beginning to end with up-tempo, hard rock gems that show Love's strength and direction as a songwriter. Co-writing several tracks on CELEBRITY SKIN is Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan ("Malibu", "Petals").
The title track is co-penned by Corgan with Love scripting the lyrics. Kicking into overdrive from the first chord, the song talks about the often-comical pursuit of fortune and fame. The lyrics on "Hit So Hard" make you wonder whether Love is talking about domestic abuse or the drop-dead feeling that results from spotting the most beautiful boy in the world across the room? The lyrics are smart enough to support both theories. Other tracks to check out are "Awful," "Reasons To Be Beautiful" and "Boys On The Radio."