Jawbox: J. Robbins (vocals, guitar); W.C. 3db Barbot (guitar, vocals); Kim Coletta (bass); Zachary Barocas (drums).
Recorded at Oz Studios, Baltimore, Maryland between August and September, 1993.
All songs written by Jawbox.
The screams of indie purists could be heard throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, with a few yahoos no doubt scattered from coast to coast, once word spread of Jawbox's signing to Atlantic. No band had left the sacred Dischord label for a major prior to Jawbox, so it was seen by some as an unforgivable crime against D.I.Y. It turned out to be the betrayed's loss as the band's first album for the bad guys was their best -- the one they claimed they had always wanted to make. A manic, thrilling ride, nothing short of brilliant. ~ Andy Kellman
Professional Reviews
Spin (p.82) - "[T]heir deft negotiations of odd time signatures and sly insertions of melody into the generalized din still impresses."
Spin (3/24, p.77) - "...With its closely paired harmonies and ringing power chords...a gusatatory delight, a hardcore band raiding power pop's well-stocked refrigerator....thanks to bands like Jawbox, though, the future of hard-hitting guitar rock doesn't look so bleak...."
Option (8/94, p.106) - "...Jawbox brings the noise better than Helmet...the band hammers out big flat sheets of guitar turbulence balanced by vocals that actually sound human..."
NME (Magazine) (4/9/94, p.41) - 7 - Very Good - "...a fierce, poignant melody which, from opening sonic squall to closing delicate fade-out is utterly immaculate..."
Paste (magazine) (p.67) - "[They] melded ferocious power with heart-wrenching melody and rock swagger with intellectual urgency."
