Sleater-Kinney was recorded by Nick Carrol at 486 Victoria Street in Melbourne, Australia, and produced by Tim Green and the band at the Red House in Olympia, Washington.

[3] Nielsen SoundScan reported in February 2015 that the album had sold 25,000 copies in the U.S.[4] Sleater-Kinney received favorable reviews from music critics.

AllMusic reviewer Zach Curd stated that the album "is a medium-fi blast of thrashy riot grrrl rock.

Some tracks are reminiscent of [1990s] Sonic Youth ('Be Yr Mama'), while others are just blasts of punk angst ('A Real Man').

[2] In a more positive review, prominent music critic Robert Christgau commented, "while their same-sex one-on-ones aren't exactly odes to joy, they convey a depth of feeling that could pass for passion.