Customer Reviews

Year After Year

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Now that the dust has settled on the socio-musical phenomenon that was "grunge", the true innovators of rock music from the early '90s can finally claim their place. Idaho's debut album was a tour de force of concise songwriting, inspired vocal performance and ear-tingling guitar noise. Jeff Martin's vocals ranged from narcoleptic drones to impassioned howls, supported by a wall of overdriven guitar fuzz and feedback that has long since served as a blueprint for a multitude of welterweight rock pretenders. The album contains a generous amount of nihilism that borders on depression, and this alone will alienate many listeners. However, those that have the desire to venture beyond Idaho's gloomy facade will find a wealth of invigorating sonic delights.

it's a shame this is the record of idaho's that's out of print because it is the best. idaho sound genuinely, seriously bummed on this disc but what keeps it from being a misery-fest are the many moments when the songs just erupt in stunning howling melody ('here to go' is catharticly beautiful, really spine tingling). the guitars ring forever and the drums just drive ahead with druggy insistence while jeff martin croons like he's about to slide off his stool or bellows in abandon.

lots of bands do the sadcore thing but this is the real deal! it's bracing and beautiful despite the bleakness, an incredible record.

2 1/2

Moody and unmoving four chord distortion ditties which often go nowhere with uneccesary progressions, vocal indulgences, and an overall despondent aesthetic which works against intent, shrinking some decent but already severely limited songs into a bitter blur.