The Beauty Process: Triple Platinum is the fifth studio album by L7, released on February 25, 1997, by Slash Records in collaboration with Reprise Records. It was recorded at Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood and Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California.
The band recorded most of the album as a trio formed by founding members Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner, and longtime drummer Demetra Plakas, following the departure of bassist Jennifer Finch. The album marks a departure from the tough rock style of its predecessors to a slower and more adventurous style.
Upon release, The Beauty Process reached No. 172 on the US Billboard Top 200 chart and No. 12 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. To promote the album, L7 signed on as an opening act on a Marilyn Manson tour across the US.
The song “Off the Wagon” was released as a single in 1997, while a concert film titled L7: The Beauty Process and directed by former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic was released in 1998.
The album received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised its attitude-filled lyrics and more liberating style compared to previous L7 albums. However, it sold worse than expected, leading Reprise to drop the band thereafter.
Tracklist:
- The Beauty Process
- Drama
- Off the Wagon
- I Need
- Moonshine
- Bitter Wine
- The Masses Are Asses
- Bad Things
- Must Have More
- Non-Existent Patricia
- Me, Myself & I
- Lorenza, Giada, Alessandra
L7
Donita Sparks: guitar, vocals, bass, percussion, piano, production
Suzi Gardner: guitar, vocals, production
Demetra Plakas: drums, percussion, production
Additional musicians
Greta Brinkman: bass
Chris Bratton: additional drums
Rob Cavallo: acoustic guitar on track 10
Lionel Richie: count-off on track 5
Technical
Rob Cavallo: production
Joe Barresi: production, engineer
Steve Holroyd: engineer
Jack Joseph Puig: mixer
Barry Goldberg: second engineer
Billy Bowers: second engineer
Greg Fidelman: second engineer
Cheryl Jenets: A&R coordinator
