Popular consensus identifies Sebadoh's 1991 release III as among the prolific trio's best. Indeed. At the time of its release, III was a shockingly fresh and innovative descent into lo-fi artistry. Ex-Dinosaur Jr. bass pla... more »yer Lou Barlow, now Sebadoh's lead singer and guitarist, seemed to be asserting that indie-rock bands could, in fact, produce introspective songs about love and relationships while still cranking out moshable jams in black-lit clubs. III's myopic, schizoid personality didn't work for some, since it demonstrated that Barlow and Co. wanted to write songs, not just play rock & roll. But the record foreshadowed a notable rush of sensitive rockers, proving that Sebadoh was well ahead of its time. --Nick Heil« less
Popular consensus identifies Sebadoh's 1991 release III as among the prolific trio's best. Indeed. At the time of its release, III was a shockingly fresh and innovative descent into lo-fi artistry. Ex-Dinosaur Jr. bass player Lou Barlow, now Sebadoh's lead singer and guitarist, seemed to be asserting that indie-rock bands could, in fact, produce introspective songs about love and relationships while still cranking out moshable jams in black-lit clubs. III's myopic, schizoid personality didn't work for some, since it demonstrated that Barlow and Co. wanted to write songs, not just play rock & roll. But the record foreshadowed a notable rush of sensitive rockers, proving that Sebadoh was well ahead of its time. --Nick Heil
"This is the first Sebadoh album that I can say is great all the way through. Much like the Beatles "White Album", this one shows off all three of Sebadoh's writers. Eric fans will not be disapointed as this album contains his best songs, including "Scars, four eyes" and the disturbing yet wonderful "As the world dies...". His songs on this album overshadow Lou's and Jason's and are more structured than future albums he was on. There is a quality to Eric's songs that Lou could never match. Lou's songs are fantastic as well. The infamous "Freed Pig" is one of his best early ones. He does have a great triolgy of songs starting with "Truly Great Thing", "Kath", and ending with "Perverted World" which are perfect examples of typical Lou songs. Sad, happy, beautiful and funny. Jasons triolgy that is in the middle (cd) is very good, the best being the country tinged "Black Hair Gurl". This album is the one early Sebadoh album that is easy to listen to all the way through in one sitting. The are 2 covers the Minutemen's "Sickles & Hammers", and the old standard "Wonderful Wonderful". Fan's of the Kids soundtrack will recoginze "Spoiled". This album has one of the best closing songs ever with "As the World Dies, The Eyes of God Grow Bigger". In this you get the feeling Eric has lost his mind. Listen to it at night on headphones with the lights off and then try to go to sleep. Over all this is one of the best Sebadoh albums, the best until Bakesale. A must have."
THIS RECORD IS A MASTERPIECE!
pnguinto@swbell.net | kcmo | 02/14/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Everytime I listen to the twenty-plus tracks, my faith in humanity has been redeemed. Everything about this album is insanely cool, especially Lou Barlow's anthem "The Freed Pig" which espouses his contempt for his former Dinosaur bandmate J. Mascis. Basically, this album saved rock and roll."
One of the most important records of my time.
Doomsday | Vancouver | 07/07/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been on this planet for 25 years, and there is no CD that is more important to me than this one."
"Blood on the Walls, Blood on the Walls"
Doomsday | 08/28/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sebadoh's III is the band's finest moment, the definition of indie rock, considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of the '90s (see Spin). The whole reason to purchase this record can be found in the last song, "As the World Dies, The Eyes of God Grow Bigger", Gaffney's autobiography of frustration, rage and vengeance against those who dared wrong him. His voice wavers between affected, sing-songy taunts and throat-ripping screams, ending the song with a dire warning ("...Now you're gonna die!"). It absolutely needs to be experienced. Only headphones will let you begin to unravel the multi-layers of this vitriolic masterpiece. "Legends of torture rock you sleep."There is no reason in the world why anyone should be without this album."
No depression
neotek | in the aeroplane over the sea | 11/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
""kath" alone is worth the price of the cd, while I normally go for the faster Seb's tracks in other albums, the slower than slow tracks in III are more attractive, not unlike Loren MazzaCane Connors stuffs, minus Kath Bloom's beautiful voice, but equally haunting. Lyrically, I think III has the best ones compared to the latter day Sebadoh. This is where Lou Barlow waxed poetic on love, betrayal and all the wonderful psychological conditions you've come to expect from him. Plus, Jason's here."