The Unforgiving Sounds of Maow is a 1996 album by Vancouver punk band Maow. It was the band's only full-length album, 21 minutes in length.
The album is notable primarily for being Neko Case's debut as a lead vocalist, although her loud, punk-rock singing on this project is not typical of her later style."An Essential Guide to Neko Case". Exclaim!, By Sarah Greene Jul 05, 2016 On the album, Case shares lead vocal duties with bandmates Tobey Black and Corrina Hammond.
Many of the songs are about partying. The album's best-known song, "Ms. Lefevre", celebrates the character "Renee Lefebvre" from Woody Allen's movie What's New Pussycat?"The Unforgiving Sounds of Maow Mint - 1996". Canuckistan Music, Michael Panontin A music video was created to publicize the song."From the Vault: A Vancouver Classic by Maow". Georgia Strait, by John Lucas on November 7th, 2015
The album also includes covers of songs by Wanda Jackson ("Mean Mean Mean") and Nancy Sinatra ("How Does That Grab You?").
Critical reception Jim Smith compared the group's style to early work by the Go-Gos. The Washington City Paper called the album "unexceptionable"."Americana Woman". Washington City Paper, David Daley Oct 10, 1997 Robert Kaups at AllMusic gave the album a mixed review. Michael Panontin of Canuckistan praised "Ms. Lefevre".
Track listing "Wank" – 1:41 "Mean Mean Man" – 0:59 - Wanda Jackson "Sucker" – 1:51 "Ms. Lefevre" – 1:52 "Rock 'N' Roll Boy" – 1:12 "Very Missionary" – 1:09 "Mommie's Drunk" – 1:32 "Woman's Scorn" – 1:30 "Showpie" – 1:09 "J'ai faim" – 0:39 "Man What's Got a Gun" – 1:05 "How Does That Grab You?" – 2:01 - Nancy Sinatra "Party Tonite!" – 0:54 "Cat's Meow" – 0:43 "One Nite Stand" – 1:01 "Catastrophie" – 1:03
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