L7 - The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum (1997)

Jennifer Finch left L7 after the completion of The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum, which is appropriate -- the album feels like the end of an era. L7 still have enough attitude to make them underground rockers, but they continue to move closer to heavy metal/biker territory with each record. The Beauty Process has a bigger, harder kick than Hungry for Stink, and it also has its fair share of hooks -- they just don't play them for pop effect as they did on Bricks Are Heavy. Which means that The Beauty Process will appeal to old-time fans and fans of Motörhead and AC/DC. In other words, it's a good hard rock record, but it'll make some fans yearn for the days when L7 appeared revolutionary, not just keepers of the flame.