90s Indie Rock • Page 9

I have never heard of Engine Down but yeah in its broadest terms, posthardcore and Unwound definitely fit here imo. I've only heard individual songs from that comp, I think Baby Blue Sedan was one? but I basically forget about that one and I need to get to it.
Something I've been thinking about is how the recording of a bunch of albums from this era basically cuts out a huge dimension of these bands sound -- like seeing Dinosaur Jr and Quicksand live last year vs hearing them on record and it's crazy how fucking heavy those bands sound in a live setting vs in a recorded one. Makes you wanna listen really closely to hear what you might be missing.

 

ED is fantastic

 

Oh, I just looked them up and the dude in Engine Down is playing guitar in At The Drive-In atm? So I'll definitely be checking them out soon

 

Their s/t is really good, and I'm checking it out now. Was a Demure stan for all of last year.

 

Is ATDI a good RIYL since he's in that now? What am I in for here, exactly?

 

Na ATDI is wayyyy more eclectic/sporadic. Esp in their song structures where's ED is a lot more mellow in their approach. @EngineDown might be able to explain better than me.

 

engine down is way more restrained than atdi. ed leans a lot more towards the indie rock side of the spectrum

 

^yes restraiend is a better term.

 

Engine Down is much more similar to the DC style of post-hardcore, ala Fugazi, then ATDI. Which makes sense considering they're from Richmond. Pretty groove based, at least on the last three albums. The first is pretty skippable tbh, Keeley wasn't even singing then.

 

He's also in Sparta, or was when they were last active, with Jim who left ATDI lol

 

i think it might be number third MM release in my book after lcw and m&a. it would be absolutely perfect if edit the sad parts were in the album instead of medication and workin' on leavin'.

 

Some new songs by some of the best on this compilation

Battle Hymns features new unreleased music by Doug Martsch, Stephen Malkmus, Cristina Martinez, Jon Spencer, Mickey Finn, Mac McCaughan, Ash Bowie, Carrie Brownstein, Katie Harkin, Sean Croghan, Drew Grow, Mary Timony, Carl Newman, Corin Tucker, Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, Bill Rieflin, Kurt Bloch, Kathy Foster, Rebecca Gates, Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss, with art by Chris Johanson and Johanna Jackson. Website magic by CASH Music. The collaboration was spearheaded and assembled by Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss of Quasi (who also serve as the backing band for some songs.) Participants generously donated their music, studios, art and time.

 

whoooa those names are huge, i don't usually like comps as a whole but i'll definitely check that one out

 

That's really cool

 

I have tried so many times, probably heard five full records of theirs by now, but man, Yo La Tengo just puts me to fucking sleep

 

I don't like the drumming, I don't like their predilections with melody or song structure, and I don't really hear anything from them that sounds definitively 'theirs,' if that makes any sense. There are moments I'm into sure, but overall, I've listened to albums 5-9 in their discography, and I just don't care.

 

When I Think Yo La Tengo, I think Feelies... Did they tour together, or have a song together..... ?

 

I know I saaw the Feelies in the 90s in Boston somewhere. Landsdowne St.

 

Booooo!!

Seeing this song performed live remains one of the greatest concert experiences I've ever had

 

Mannnnnnn Painful is one of my favorite albums of the 90s. I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One is also very strong but I've never seen it as their "masterpiece" like most people

 

I think Only LIfe was the album I played from.

 

Agree 100% that Painful is their best record. Both I Can Hear and And Then Nothing are fantastic as well though.

 

yeah those 3 are definitely the trio. I feel like recently among non Gen X people, Painful is gaining in esteem which is cool to see. Fade from 2013 was also pretty strong, especially for that deep into their career.

 

Their career has stayed super strong well into the 2000s. I Am Not Afraid and Popular Songs were also worthy entries in their discography. They have aged extraordinarily well, and have been around for like thirty-five years now or something

 

I definitely think their particular brand of indie rock is especially conducive to sustainability. The slow-building melodic sense they have will continue to sound great as their voices grow softer and softer