Hole - Awful

joedelfgauw

Review by Joe Delfgauw

Awful by Hole: A Raw, Unpolished Gem That Still Sticks with You Let’s get one thing straight—Hole’s Awful isn’t your typical rock album. Released in 1998 under Geffen Records and DGC, this record feels like a chaotic patchwork of live energy, studio polish, and raw emotion. It’s not perfect, but maybe that’s the point. This is Alternative Rock and Grunge at its messiest, most human state, recorded across continents from Spain to Japan. And honestly? I kind of love it for that. The production credits read like a who’s who of industry heavyweights—Michael Beinhorn producing track 1, Tom Lord-Alge mixing, Chris Thompson engineering tracks 2 through 4—but don’t let those big names fool you. This album doesn’t sound overproduced or sanitized. Instead, it’s got grit. The kind of grit that sticks in your teeth after biting into something way too real. Now, onto the tracks. Let me tell ya about “Awful (Live)” and “Malibu (Ted Ottaviano Club Mix).” These two songs are burned into my brain for completely different reasons. First up, “Awful (Live).” There’s just something about Courtney Love screaming her lungs out on stage that hits differently. Maybe it’s because she sounds pissed off—or maybe heartbroken—or maybe both at once. Whatever it is, this version has an edge that the LP version lacks. Every crack in her voice feels intentional, like she’s daring you to look away while she tears herself apart lyrically. When she sings, “I’m so awful,” it doesn’t feel self-deprecating; it feels empowering, like owning all your flaws and daring anyone to call them ugly. Honestly, it gives me chills every damn time. Then there’s “Malibu (Ted Ottaviano Club Mix).” If you’re expecting the grungy vibe Hole is known for, prepare to be thrown off balance. This remix takes things in a totally unexpected direction—it’s slick, danceable, almost euphoric. At first listen, it feels out of place on an album filled with such raw performances, but maybe that’s why it stands out. It’s like finding a disco ball in a dive bar. Weird? Yeah. But also kinda cool. Plus, having the CD-ROM video included was such a ‘90s move, and honestly, I respect it. What strikes me most about Awful is how unapologetically scattered it is. You’ve got live recordings rubbing shoulders with club mixes, introspective lyrics paired with explosive instrumentation. Some might call it disjointed, but I think it mirrors life itself—messy, unpredictable, full of contradictions. And here’s the kicker: despite its title, this album isn’t actually awful. Sure, some tracks miss the mark, but others hit so hard they leave bruises. In fact, if anything, Awful reminds us that sometimes our imperfections make us unforgettable. So yeah, it’s rough around the edges—and thank God for that. Because without those cracks, we wouldn’t see the light shining through. Final thought? Listening to this album feels like flipping through someone’s diary. Intimate, uncomfortable, beautiful. Just don’t blame me if you start hearing “Awful” in your sleep.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: hole-awful.zip
  • MP3 size: 85.4 mb
  • FLAC size: 844.2 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Celebrity Skin2:42
Celebrity Skin (Live)
Awful (Live)
Awful (Album Version)
Miss World (Live)3:12
Malibu (CD-Rom Video)
Violet (Live)4:28
She Walks On Me (Live)4:56
Pretty On The Inside (Live)
Awful (LP Version)3:18
Heaven Tonight (Live)
Awful3:16
Northern Star (Live)
Malibu (Ted Ottaviano Club Mix)7:20

Video

Hole - Awful

Images

Album herunterladen Hole - Awful
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last ned album Hole - Awful
baixar álbum Hole - Awful
descargar álbum Hole - Awful
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Catalog Numbers

  • INT5P 6569
  • 497098-2, INTDE-97098, 47098-2-2
  • MVCF-14001
  • 497099-2, INTDE-97099
  • GED76197
  • SAM 192 CD
  • 497 061-2
  • INTS7-97098
  • 497 060-2
  • INTDM-97058, INTDM 97058
  • IND 97061

Labels

  • DGC
  • Geffen Records

Listen online

  • online luisteren
  • lyssna på nätet
  • escuchar en línea
  • online anhören
  • lytte på nettet
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • ascolta in linea
  • écouter en ligne
  • ouvir online

Formats

  • CD
  • Promo
  • Single
  • Enhanced
  • Vinyl
  • 7"
  • EP

Companies

RoleCompany
Record CompanyUniversal Music
Phonographic Copyright (p)Geffen Records, Inc.
Copyright (c)Geffen Records, Inc.
Licensed ToPolydor Ltd. (UK)
Published ByMother May I Music
Recorded ByTriple J
Recorded AtBig Day Out
Made ByPMDC, UK
Marketed ByUniversal Music Australia
Pressed BySMEA

Credits

RoleCredit
A&RJim Barber
TechnicianAbbey Road Interactive
EngineerChris Thompson (tracks: 2 to 4), Leah Baker (tracks: 2 to 4), Paul Northfield (tracks: 1)
Mixed ByTom Lord-Alge (tracks: 1)
ProducerMichael Beinhorn (tracks: 1)

Notes

  • Inlay:
  • Track 1 from the Geffen album Celebrity Skin
  • Track 2 recorded live at the Big Day Out in Melbourne on January 26, 1999 by Triple J.
  • Inlay & disc:
  • Published by Mother May I Music (BMI)
  • ℗ 1999 Geffen Records, Inc. © 1999 Geffen Records, Inc., a Universal Music Company and licensed exclusively to Polydor Ltd. (UK).
  • Made in the EU.
  • Readme.txt file:
  • This Enhanced CD was made by Abbey Road Interactive using Macromedia Director.
  • _
  • J-card case.
  • Enhanced section contains video in .mov format.
  • Track durations are not printed on the release.
  • Category 47098-2-2 on spine.
  • Category 47098-2 on rear flap & disc
  • Category INTDE-97098 on spine, rear flap & disc
  • Although PMDC, UK are credited in the mould hub, this was most likely pressed by Universal M & L, UK which took over the PMDC plant in April 1999.
  • Live tracks recorded from Big Day Out in Melbourne on 1/26/1999.
  • Track 1 taken from the Geffen album Celebrity Skin.
  • Track 2 recorded live at the Big Day Out in Melbourne on January 26, 1999.
  • Spanish Promo CD Promoting Concert In Madrid
  • Track 1 taken from the Geffen album Celebrity Skin
  • Tracks 2 to 4 recorded live at the Big Day Out in Melbourne on January 26th 1999
  • Track 1 taken from the Geffen album Celebrity Skin
  • Track 2 recorded live at the Big Day Out in Melbourne on January 26th 1999 by Triple J
  • Released in a Cardboard sleeve
  • Australian Tour Souvenir EP
  • Exclusive 12 page Australian tour booklet
  • Tracks 2 to 5 recorded live at the Big Day Out in Melbourne on January 26th 1999

Barcodes

  • Barcode (As printed): 6 06949 70982 2
  • Barcode (Scanned): 606949709822
  • Label Code: LC 07266
  • Rights Society: BIEM/MCPS
  • Rights Society: BMI
  • Price Code: UN 940
  • Matrix / Runout: INTDE97098 01 6
  • Matrix / Runout (Mould hub): MADE IN THE UK BY PMDC
  • Mastering SID Code: IFPI L136
  • Mould SID Code: IFPI 0445
  • Barcode (Text): 6 06949 70992 1
  • Barcode (String): 606949709921
  • Distribution Code: UN 940
  • Matrix / Runout: INTDE97099 04 5 MADE IN THE UK BY PMDC
  • Mould SID Code: IFPI 0454
  • Mastering SID Code: IFPI L135
  • Barcode: 606949709877
  • Barcode: 6 06949 70602 9
  • Matrix / Runout: IND97060 06069 497 060-2 01 #
  • Matrix / Runout: MADE IN GERMANY BY UNIVERSAL M & L
  • Mastering SID Code: IFPI L008
  • Mould SID Code: IFPI 01K6
  • Barcode (Text): 6 06949 70582 4
  • Barcode (String): 606949705824
  • Matrix / Runout: 0124159-INTDM97058 01 SMEA
  • Mastering SID Code: IFPI L681
  • Mould SID Code: IFPI 651D

About Hole

télécharger l'album Hole - Awfulladda ner album Hole - Awfuldescargar álbum Hole - Awfulbaixar álbum Hole - Awfullast ned album Hole - Awfullataa albumi Hole - Awful
Alternative rock band from California, US. Formed 19892002 and once more in 20092012. Final Members: Courtney Love - Vocals/Rhythm guitar (1989-2012) Melissa Auf der Maur  Bass/Backing vocals (19941999, 2012) Eric Erlandson  Lead guitar (19892002, 2012) Patty Schemel  Drums (19921998, 2012) Past Members: Scott Lipps  Drums (20112012) Micko Larkin  Lead guitar (20102012) Shawn Dailey  Bass (20102012) Stu Fisher  Drums (20102011) Samantha Maloney - Drums (1998-2000) Kristen Pfaff - Bass/Backing vocals (1993-Passed away 1994) Leslie Hardy - Bass (1992-1993) Jill Emery - Bass (1990-1992) Lisa Roberts - Bass (1989-1990) Caroline Rue - Drums (1989-1992) Mike Geisbrecht  Rhythm guitar (19891990)

Members

  • Courtney Love
  • Melissa Auf Der Maur
  • Eric Erlandson
  • Jill Emery
  • Leslie Hardy
  • Patty Schemel
  • Samantha Maloney
  • Kristen Pfaff
  • Caroline Rue
  • Micko Larkin
  • Shawn Dailey
  • Stuart Fisher

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that Hole's 1998 album *Awful* had a seriously international reach? It wasn’t just released in the US—it hit shelves across Europe, the UK, Spain, Germany, Australasia, and even Japan. And get this: it features tracks mixed by Tom Lord-Alge, who’s worked with legends like Blink-182 and U2. Plus, there’s a Ted Ottaviano Club Mix of “Malibu” that adds a totally different vibe to the grunge classic. Not your typical rock release!

Comments

kentarotag
2025-03-16
?
lexibanninger
2025-03-15
I need a time machine ???
Courtney the Queen ? ??
lukeridley87
2025-03-14
Lol, no
sharonkmayhew
2025-03-14
So she just gave up I guess.... Classic
divyashaarora
2025-03-13
Let's start a ? fire, your ripe for the. Picking
raphaelchacko
2025-03-12
it's obvious that youtube have removed the negative comments because courtney has always been like marmite - love her, or hate her, so where are the haters?
cedrickrier
2025-03-12
Surcoté...
aniketadep
2025-03-11
These concerts look freaking awesome..
elespacioescondido
2025-03-10
This song is great. Another one of my favorites. And Samantha Maloney's drumming dominates throughout the entire song. Need more badass drummers like her around.
ciccino2
2025-03-10
Courtney is a goddess
svigor
2025-03-10
I LOVEEEEEE