Helium
Pirate Prude

We are in 1994, and Helium, an American indie rock band formed two summers before, releases their first Extended Play through Matador Records. The label, which operates predominantly in the indie scene, already represents a sort of guarantee if we consider some of the illustrious names it has been associated with (Lou Reed, Sonic Youth, Pavement, Yo La Tengo, Moonshake, Flipper, Mogwai, Liz Phair, and so on) and the era in which the work in question was produced reassures us, especially if we think that it does not exactly coincide with the current one where "indie" is synonymous with "anything that cannot be better classified".

The record conveys hybrid sensations right from the first listen. The musical scenario, which deals with themes as alluring as they are confused and disheveled, is curated by the scribbled distortions of the guitars which, while always maintaining the foreground, leave full space for the voice, sometimes decadent and often almost ethereal, of Miss Mary Timony, who struggles and splutters toward a new feedback to drag along with herself to the essence of the tracks.

No singles are released from the EP, but a video is produced for "XXX", a track not entirely emblematic of the entire work but that, thanks to the disoriented images that accompany it, certainly represents one of the most interesting moments. 

A good calling card, therefore, with lofty peaks and interesting insights. Clearly more immature compared to the debut album that will follow suit the next year, but, assisted by the short duration, enjoyable even by the more "snobbish" ears.

In their first real album, "The Dirt of Luck", they will refine their stylistic peculiarities, proposing a more complete and convincing work. Not to be missed.