Lou Barlow left proto-alt-rock band Dinosaur Jr. in 1989 with a chip on his shoulder and his ever-confused heart on his sleeve. His work in Sebadoh, along with co-writer and co-vocalist Jason Lowenstein, made the band a key figure in the alt-/indie-/lo-fi rock ethos that predominated the first half of the ‘90s American rock scene.
Barlow would later return to the Dinosaur Jr. fold in time for their well-deserved (and entirely justified) 2000s comeback, but not before making some major contributions of his own.
Here are three playlists of prime Sebadoh.
Playlist 1
I’d say Bakesale (1994) shows Sebadoh at their peak. They picked up the pace a little in comparison with earlier releases, and added more tasty hooks, as well. Playlist One presents a thirty-minute, re-sequenced distillation of Bakesale. The first four songs here are prime Lou Barlow, the following three prime Jason Lowenstein. (In fact, the entire album is excellent.)
Playlist 2
The earlier double-LP Sebadoh III (1991) seems to be considered some sort of Holy Grail of the alt-rock, indie rock and lo-fi genres by many an aficionado (and critic). I don’t hold it in quite so high an esteem. Certainly, it could use some pruning. The first original album side is quite good, the rest inconsistent.
Playlist Two offers a single-LP condensation of Sebadoh III.
Playlist 3
For those wanting more Sebadoh, Playlist Three concludes with a few chronological highlights from other Sebadoh releases.
Cover Art:
- Bakesale and Harmacy (inner sleeve): Source, Discogs.com, Fair use.
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