March 18–25, 1999

disc quicks|pop/rock

pop/rock

Sebadoh

The Sebadoh

(Sub Pop)

For all the fuss that's being made about this being the first Sebadoh album on which primary songwriters Lou Barlow and Jason Lowenstein write together, perhaps it's important to note that, from the very early days, Sebadoh albums have been split-personality affairs. Whether sensitive guy Lou alternated songwriting duties with madman original drummer Eric Gaffney, or more recently with less-manic Jason, the results have been pleasantly polar. Where Lou does the plaintive, lo-fi sensitive guy thing better than anyone, without the buzz and thwack of Jason's tunes interspersed, the overall result would be too mushy-mucky. On The Sebadoh, the band's eighth and first with drummer Russ Pollard, this new collective approach, which looks great on paper, ultimately fails, causing everything to drift to the unmemorable middle. The 'doh never get truly, weepily self-loathing, which at one time was their biggest strength, nor is there any real call to smash heads upon the punk rock (though "Cuban," a silly Latino mock-up, does call for mild booty shaking). A few songs, however, hint that there might be method to the madness. The loping album opener, "It's All You," and mid-set "Flame" are peppy but solid, unlike the goofily happy single "Ocean" from '96's Harmacy. They give hope that if this trio is going to function as a unit, they may have found the right path, but unfortunately not in time to save The Sebadoh from being unessential.

-Brian Howard

Sebadoh will play with Playtopia and Bunny Brains Thu., March 18, at the TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.