Sebadoh
III

The Sebadoh.

This definitely requires a little introduction. Let's go back in time.

It was the nineties, the years of Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, Pavement and company; with the last bastions of hard rock fallen, true enthusiasts sought refuge in the underground scene, in a relentless search for quality artists and music. It was under these circumstances that an album was released that would shock everyone in a very short time; that album read "Nevermind", no matter, and it would make rock history. So much so that Nirvana left an indelible mark.

It was the same years when, much more discreetly, a bespectacled bassist, Lou Barlow, already a member of Dinosaur, ambitiously decided to start his own project, in collaboration with his friend Eric Gaffney, and with the help of Jason Loewenstein. The project took the name Sebadoh. It all makes sense. "When underground music became loud and bland," says Barlow, " my reaction was to pick up an acoustic guitar, to break the patterns"; that was his main merit, to blow a bit of novelty into it. A skill that he is still recognized for today; Barlow had talent, and his friend Gaffney was no less. And if talent meets talent, something good comes out.

"III" (like the members of the group) can definitely be defined as good. The two move on different fronts, more congenial to them respectively: Barlow engages in his usual melodic folk, while Gaffney literally indulges in psychedelic and delirious experiments of disarming beauty. Loewenstein does his part. And okay. All pervaded by the attitude and approach of low fidelity. Tracks like "As The World Dies", "The Eyes Of God Grow Bigger" (a spectacular title) or "Limb By Limb" have an explosive charge, with punk delirium sustained by fast-paced rhythms and vocal madness; Barlow gives his best in "The Freed Pig", marked by electric folk and melody. Different artists, but artists. Add the non-sense of "Smoke A Bowl" and the charm of "Violet Execution", and you even allow for some dull moments.

"III" is a compact, important album. Even for subsequent developments. Almost simultaneously, there will indeed be "Slanted and Enchanted" by Pavement, and then it will be Beck's turn with "Mellow Gold"; and from there, the others. If anyone knows what As The World... means, I'll give them all three. Bye.