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| SeaweedFour1993 Sub Pop 
 Review by: exhaustra See others by this writer Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on October 18th 2001
I was fucking heart-broken when SEAWEED broke up two years ago. I only discovered them in 1993 and saw them live only once. They are one of those bands that I own every single record; every CD, LP, 7”, compilation, you name it. They weren’t exactly punk, not heavy enough to be metal, and too heavy to be indie rock. They fucking rocked. Their third LP (not counting the self-titled LP on Leopard Gecko...it was just a compilation of their early 7’s) “Four,” is easily their best work and one of the best records ever released by Sub Pop. The dual guitars are simple, straightforward blasts of pure energy (Think Gibsons through Marshalls) and the bass sound is kind of treble-y similar to early JAWBREAKER, but a little more buried in the mix. Bob’s drumming is unbelievable. He’s one of those drummers that uses his toms a lot, but keeps it uncluttered and heavy. I could talk about Aaron’s vocals for pages. He yells, yelps, screams his heart out every second of every record and this is no exception. His lyrics are relevant, unpretentious, and clever; a combo you don’t see too often. My favorite line is from “Kid Candy”: Respect is key/ It’s all that matters. “Turnout” has to be my favorite song of the record. A simple mid-tempo rocker that begins and ends with some of Bob’s patented tom work, then, without pause, the guitars switch chords and explode into the next track, “In Fairness.” Other favorites are “Losing Skin,” “Kid Candy,” “One Inch Punch.” Now’s the time that I should tell you SEAWEED sounds like ‘this’ band or like ‘that’ label’s bands. I wish I could, because it would have made this review way easier to write. I can only come up with two bands that I think were influenced by them: SPARKMARKER and BRAND NEW UNIT both have sonic similarities to SEAWEED (and oddly enough both bands are from Canada). I’m listening to this CD as I write, trying to think of a reason NOT to give it 5 stars. I can’t think of one.
Other Essential SEAWEED LP’s:
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there's another band from canada that was heavily influenced by seaweed. they're called kover. Yeah I lost this CD eight years ago or so and found it two hours ago, great album! Spanaway is one of my favorite records of all time. Great band, great album. I think Spanaway was a tad better though. Rock! i'm almost positive that they were from Tacoma, WA. They were from Washington state, but not from Seattle, I believe. I could be misinformed. never heard this album, but I own Spanaway. Dear lord, that album rules. Magic Mountain man is one of my fav songs of all time. Seaweed was WAY ahead of their time. Its kinda funny how they tried to capitalize on the tail end of that whole Seattle thing, with guest spots by the drummer from Soundgarden, and the drummer from Screaming trees on "Spanaway." The address for info on the band on that particular album was a Seattle address. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't they from Wisconsin or MA. or something like that? DC I had a t-shirt of this band back in the day, I used to think they rocked. As I got older, I started liking their music less and less. Now I just think they blow. Its kind of wierd how that happens, cuz I still love a lot of bands I listened to back in the day, when I was first getting into punk (Bad Religion, Sex Pistols, etc). Odd. Anyway, steer clear of this band. Cool, I like Quicksand..maybe I'll check this band out. It's a shame that most good bands are the first to go. Hell yeah, it's about time someone gives some props to Seaweed. Truly one of the most underrated bands of all time. This album, and the two they released after are just killer. Seaweed is pretty darn good, I have their 2 later albums [Spanaway and Actions And Indications]. If you're into bands like Quicksand or Fireside, you'd love Seaweed. Good choice. |
