The Breeders came onto the alternative rock scene back in 1993 with their inexplicably retro-sounding hit "Cannonball," yet seemed to fall into obscurity not too long afterwards. The band can, more or less, be referred to as a spin-off of The Pixies (lead singer and guitarist Kim Deal was a former member of aforementioned band), and on this 1993 outing, there seems to be more to the album than meets the eyes and ears.
In some ways, it would seem painfully fitting (or more specifically, understandable) that the hard-driving "Cannonball" would be the only major hit off the album (unless you count "Divine Hammer," which wasn't nearly as big), many of the tracks -- while highly diversified -- are strangely trippy, disjointed and underdeveloped, in other words, they seem more like short fragments, which seem to end abruptly...only to switch to an entirely different song (or rather, idea) altogether. This whole aspect may seem frustrating to many listeners, and understandably so, but when appreciated as something of an arty collage of sounds, as opposed to an album packed with "songs," the whole thing seems easier to swallow. Had I went into buying this album for the first time in 1993 with this mindset, it wouldn't have taken dozens of listens for me to finally start loving the album. But, as they say, the things that take time and effort to love, are the things that you usually end up loving for a lifetime.
Clocking in at 39 minutes, this album is an ever-fascinating smorgasbord of indie/post-punk, psychedelia, surf, grunge, and possible other things, which is packed with melody, charisma and a certain kind of wistful nostalgia; an indescribably pleasant, summery retro-feel is spiked throughout the diversified indie-rock musings. The talent it takes to blend and create these diverse soundscapes is something that shouldn't be taken lightly, although the approach to this album (described above) would certainly tend to obscure this to everyone, except those with discerning minds and ears. The sounds here as a whole are akin to the album artwork: hazy, colorful, trippy, multi-faceted and always fascinating. Definitely recommended, if any of the things described above tickle your fancy. Samhot
In some ways, it would seem painfully fitting (or more specifically, understandable) that the hard-driving "Cannonball" would be the only major hit off the album (unless you count "Divine Hammer," which wasn't nearly as big), many of the tracks -- while highly diversified -- are strangely trippy, disjointed and underdeveloped, in other words, they seem more like short fragments, which seem to end abruptly...only to switch to an entirely different song (or rather, idea) altogether. This whole aspect may seem frustrating to many listeners, and understandably so, but when appreciated as something of an arty collage of sounds, as opposed to an album packed with "songs," the whole thing seems easier to swallow. Had I went into buying this album for the first time in 1993 with this mindset, it wouldn't have taken dozens of listens for me to finally start loving the album. But, as they say, the things that take time and effort to love, are the things that you usually end up loving for a lifetime.
Clocking in at 39 minutes, this album is an ever-fascinating smorgasbord of indie/post-punk, psychedelia, surf, grunge, and possible other things, which is packed with melody, charisma and a certain kind of wistful nostalgia; an indescribably pleasant, summery retro-feel is spiked throughout the diversified indie-rock musings. The talent it takes to blend and create these diverse soundscapes is something that shouldn't be taken lightly, although the approach to this album (described above) would certainly tend to obscure this to everyone, except those with discerning minds and ears. The sounds here as a whole are akin to the album artwork: hazy, colorful, trippy, multi-faceted and always fascinating. Definitely recommended, if any of the things described above tickle your fancy. Samhot
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