So good. The first album was aggressive and powerful. This LP is a bit more restrained, but still employs the same dynamics as the debut. It was recorded by Bob Weston and done directly to analogue tape. As such, it is probably the most live sounding studio album the 90's ever heard. Further, without Trombino producing, you get the sense the band was allowed to be a bit more true to themselves. There's a definite twang on some of those chords. It's still very dissonant and start/stop, but more organic sounding. If post-hardcore can sound roots oriented, it's on this album.
Everything just comes together so well in this album. By the time you get the 3rd song, 'Twenty Four of Twenty Five,' you feel so involved. The guitars, despite being loud and out of tune draw you in and feel warm. The 7 minute reprieve of 'Twenty Four of Twenty Five' is like a smoke break until the album regains course with 'Radio Towers' onto the B-Side which doesn't hold back.
It was the band's best and final work. The "twang" and space they created in the songs shows up in the later projects. The Farewell Bend was a toned down version of this album, but didn't really catch on. The group Canyon, which featured Brandon Butler and Robert Winkle from Boys Life, was a fantastic Lo-Fi take on Americana.
Fire Engine Red
Radio Towers
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