Artist Review: Sebadoh, Secret EP
Artist: Sebadoh
EP: Secret (Joyful Noise)
Genre: Lo-Fi / Americana / Rock
RIYL: Dinosaur Jr, Pearl Jam, Pete Yorn, Rogue Wave
Just saying the word “Sebadoh” is enough to send me into a nostalgic headspin back to my college days, when Lou Barlow and Jason Loewenstein were busy carving out their place as pioneers of lo-fi and heartbreak in the 90s. Thirteen years after their last recording, Barlow and Loewenstein returned with former Fiery Furnaces drummer Bob D’Amico, churning out the type of simple bourne-of-upheaval rock that has made them the stuff of indie music legend. In fact, Barlow’s had his hands full gigging on bass with his other outfit - Dinosaur Jr. - and their resurrected return to form of late. While life circumstances and the upheaval that brings can be a hindrance to others, Barlow culls inspiration from these events and thankfully brings us along for the ride in all his musical endeavours.
Fans of the band shouldn’t be disappointed by this all-too-short EP, a hopeful teaser of what’s to come with the band’s forthcoming full-length Defend Yourself. Secret is a relaxed, jangly and marvelously pure set of songs. There’s a spontaneity to all of the songs, and opener “Keep the Boy Alive” seems to pick up right where the band left off so many years ago and digs even deeper into the catalog. There’s that signature heartbreaking vulnerability that only Lou Barlow delivers vocally coupled with a strong melody driven by the drum and bass lines. When Barlow sings “It’s getting old, I’m going old / Do it for the love” at the end of the track, it hits home and it calls upon the wisdom that only life experience delivers.
“My Drugs” crackles with urgency and serves up sharp musicianship and a powerful hook. It has bite, and entertains that brawny stamp that Loewenstein employs so well in the band’s older material. “Arbitrary High” feels like classic Sebadoh, a grown-up version that employs that noisiness factor while still sounding fresh. It’s an embrace of both the past and future, and has the appeal of the fuzzed-out guitars and lyrical warmth that wraps every Sebadoh record in goodness.
The twangy, laid-back “I Don’t Mind” is certainly an alt-country departure a la Wilco, but it works. And I found myself pressing play over and over again - what can I say, I’m a sucker for slide guitar and songs that sit easily in the pocket. “All Kinds” is rife with riffs, cutting in interesting angles and showing off the trio’s musicality. In the end, I wanted more, and this EP bears a load of potential for Sebadoh’s full return this fall.
Originally self-released very quietly on their Bandcamp page, Joyful Noise picked up this recording to give it a more traditional push. I’m glad they did. While Sebadoh somehow always managed to stay just under that mainstream bubble, their musical presence has never flown under the radar of their fellow musicians. There’s a lovesick, gutcheck quality to everything Barlow and Loewenstein have created over the years, and this record finds the band yet again in a time of transition that fosters beautiful music. Secret is a wonderful way for new fans to discover the band, and their re-entry into the rock world is welcome and necessary.
Sebadoh website: http://sebadoh.com/
(This review originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_sebadoh_secret_ep)
EP: Secret (Joyful Noise)
Genre: Lo-Fi / Americana / Rock
RIYL: Dinosaur Jr, Pearl Jam, Pete Yorn, Rogue Wave
Just saying the word “Sebadoh” is enough to send me into a nostalgic headspin back to my college days, when Lou Barlow and Jason Loewenstein were busy carving out their place as pioneers of lo-fi and heartbreak in the 90s. Thirteen years after their last recording, Barlow and Loewenstein returned with former Fiery Furnaces drummer Bob D’Amico, churning out the type of simple bourne-of-upheaval rock that has made them the stuff of indie music legend. In fact, Barlow’s had his hands full gigging on bass with his other outfit - Dinosaur Jr. - and their resurrected return to form of late. While life circumstances and the upheaval that brings can be a hindrance to others, Barlow culls inspiration from these events and thankfully brings us along for the ride in all his musical endeavours.
Fans of the band shouldn’t be disappointed by this all-too-short EP, a hopeful teaser of what’s to come with the band’s forthcoming full-length Defend Yourself. Secret is a relaxed, jangly and marvelously pure set of songs. There’s a spontaneity to all of the songs, and opener “Keep the Boy Alive” seems to pick up right where the band left off so many years ago and digs even deeper into the catalog. There’s that signature heartbreaking vulnerability that only Lou Barlow delivers vocally coupled with a strong melody driven by the drum and bass lines. When Barlow sings “It’s getting old, I’m going old / Do it for the love” at the end of the track, it hits home and it calls upon the wisdom that only life experience delivers.
“My Drugs” crackles with urgency and serves up sharp musicianship and a powerful hook. It has bite, and entertains that brawny stamp that Loewenstein employs so well in the band’s older material. “Arbitrary High” feels like classic Sebadoh, a grown-up version that employs that noisiness factor while still sounding fresh. It’s an embrace of both the past and future, and has the appeal of the fuzzed-out guitars and lyrical warmth that wraps every Sebadoh record in goodness.
The twangy, laid-back “I Don’t Mind” is certainly an alt-country departure a la Wilco, but it works. And I found myself pressing play over and over again - what can I say, I’m a sucker for slide guitar and songs that sit easily in the pocket. “All Kinds” is rife with riffs, cutting in interesting angles and showing off the trio’s musicality. In the end, I wanted more, and this EP bears a load of potential for Sebadoh’s full return this fall.
Originally self-released very quietly on their Bandcamp page, Joyful Noise picked up this recording to give it a more traditional push. I’m glad they did. While Sebadoh somehow always managed to stay just under that mainstream bubble, their musical presence has never flown under the radar of their fellow musicians. There’s a lovesick, gutcheck quality to everything Barlow and Loewenstein have created over the years, and this record finds the band yet again in a time of transition that fosters beautiful music. Secret is a wonderful way for new fans to discover the band, and their re-entry into the rock world is welcome and necessary.
Sebadoh website: http://sebadoh.com/
(This review originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_sebadoh_secret_ep)
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