Mic City Sons

Heatmiser

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 29, 1996)
• Original Release Date: October 29, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Caroline
• ASIN: B000000I34
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,038 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

In retrospect, the third and final full-length by defunct Portland, Oregon, band Heatmiser, 1996's Mic City Sons, is not just the sound of a band pulled in two directions and on the verge of breakup, it's a blueprint for the late-'90s Northwest "emo-core" sound. This pop-punk act always showed a love for refined-sugar-sweet pop music and Big Star-derived melodies, but it really comes to the fore here--both on renowned singer/songwriter Elliott Smith's songs and those of Neil Gust. (Sam Coomes of Quasi plays bass and sings on the record, as well.) This is a schizophrenic album. Songs veer from peppy anthems to total-downer white-guy angst; luckily, both are pulled off with finesse and real emotional investment. Fans of folkie Smith working backwards through his catalog will be surprised to hear Smith rock out so hard on tunes such as "Get Lucky"; other songs have since become staples of his solo sets. Mic City is among Smith's best records and functions as a swell swan song for this under-appreciated group. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars surprisingly good, May 3, 2000

By A Customer

I'm a big fan of Elliott Smith, and I can't believe that it's taken me this long to buy anything by Heatmiser. I knew Elliott Smith was in the band, but I figured that since they're not often talked about that it wouldn't be anything like Elliott's solo stuff. Actually, this album is pretty similar to his solo work, though a little more upbeat and louder. But it definitely isn't too loud, and it kind of reminds me of Figure 8. Only about three tracks are sung by the other singer, and they're pretty good. This album has some of the best songs Elliott's ever written, especially the bonus track--figures, because it was released a year before Either/Or. If you're an Elliott Smith fan, drop your skepticism and buy this album.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I don't take 5 stars lightly, January 5, 2002

By	Mark Groth "megrot71" (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews

If you are an Elliott Smith fan, and love him, but wish he would rock out a little, this is the album for you. I started with Elliot's solo albums, bought them all, then found out he was once in a rock band (Heatmiser). I read the Amazon reviews and started buying. This is the ONLY album you need if you are a fan of E. Smith. It is clearly the best record. This record will also turn you on to Neil Gust who is the Lou Barlow to J. Mascis. I don't care for Cop & Speeder, Dead Air and others. This is a must own for indie fans and rockers out there. This album is perfect to me, and I wish to hear more like it. Buy it, you'll love it.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Schizophrenic, down-trodden, angst-filled, delight, December 15, 2003

By	R. Levitz - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is one of the greatest albums ever made by the human race. I am an obsesive Elliot Smith, fan, god rest his soul. This album truly does rank amongst his best works. Neil Gust holds his own too, with some heartfelt, angst ridden, and incredibly catchy power pop anthems, which bounce off of Smith's melancholy folk-punk beautifully. The result is truly amazing. It is one of the few albums I have that works brilliantly being played for beggining to end. There isn't a weak track among the twelve it offers, and the sequence is bloody perfect. Get Lucky introduces us to the albums two voices, Gust, and Smith, shouting back and forth at each other, and then they go there seperate ways. And we get to follow both of their narritives, as each struggles there way through "mic city". No, this isn't a concept album, but the songs are so honest and personal, they all clearly arise from the same world. The album isn't a total downer either, the beauty of it is there is a fragile optimism behind so much of it, even when the songs delve into their darkest territory.....

I read this somewhere else, i forget where, but I think that it is about the best way I can summarize my feelings on this album. Mic City Sons should be broadcast into space, and when the aliens hear "plainclothes man", well it's probably the best introduction to humanity we can give. Showing all the pain, sorrow, hope, love, anger and confusion of the human condition, in all it's fragile beauty....

Okay that was incredibly heavy-handed. Sorry. Just buy the album, and really listen to it, and you'll understand what I'm talking about...That goes for you aliens too.