Bubble & Scrape is the fourth album by American indie rock band Sebadoh. It was released by Sub Pop in April 1993. Bubble & Scrape was the final Sebadoh album to feature songs composed by founding member Eric Gaffney.
WikipediaVaguely familiar with this band. Did not like the album at first, but it grew on me and I kind of liked it by the end. There is a charm within the dourness.
Interesting, often atonal prog rock (?) wavered on it a lot. Cool at times and a chaotic at others
the list has finally paid off! finally, after all of the thes and 70s glam shite it has spewed out something i've never heard of and that i am bonafide enjoying listening to and will almost certainly listen to again and knowing how much of a sweat i am probably listen to the entire back catalogue. bonus points for the last track being as long as the rest of the album. i imagine this is what it must feel like for Gerry Mccain knowing full well he got away with it.
I thought I was all about 90s grunge, but I'd never heard of Sebadoh before. This album was one of the "low-fi" grunge records of the era that I missed. Was a neat album, but not something that will have the replay power of other grunge artists of the time. Definitely enjoyed it, but not enough to listen to over and over, thus the rating of 3.
A lot of this album sounds out of tune with itself. I suspect that's the point and maybe goes hand in hand with being "lo-fi" but it's slightly jarring. Still, there were some good moments and in particular I liked the louder, rockier tracks which reminded me of Nirvana's "Bleach" album. I can hear similarities with other bands from the same era but it's hard to gauge how influential this album was and there isn't really much info about that on Wiki. Feels like the band might be more influential than any specific album, plus I'd say Dinosaur Jr were a more influential band than Sebadoh. 5.5/10
Como álbum sí creo que es muy bueno, pero son de esos que tengo que escuchar muchas veces hasta sentir que me gustó de verdad. No hubo una canción en particular que me atrapara, pero sí está bien hecho el disco.
I like a lot of these actually, some quite different moods between some songs. Never knew what to expect. I like the slightly off vocals, gives it that punk edge. Reminded me of Dinosaur Jr and surprise surprise, the person who produced their albums did this one afaik.
It's very nice to listen to something that sounds "grunge" besides Nirvana or Pearl Jam, but also has many experimental songs with a kind of metal that is good even not understanding everything. In short, it was good to know this album, even not being the best one on this list until now. Probably, I will listen to it again someday...
lo-fi was one of my favourite styles in the 90s, but Sebadoh was always somewhat eclipsed by Pavement. For me, Pavement are definitely the more essential of the two with the passage of time. Still. this album's a decent example of a great genre
Production: 8/20 Songwriting: 7/20 Innovation: 15/20 Presence of pure bangers: 0/20 Emotional response: 6/20 =36
Ok. Call me picky but grunge era has a sound to it that is a little, just a hair, out of tune. But when the whole band is out of tune it sucks. Especially when they aren’t even out of tune together. Anyways, this is a no for me. Not my jam.
I had a hard time connecting with most of the songs on this album. Nothing carried a tune really and the lyrics just disappeared.
I listened to this once and had the weird feeling that there might be something here that I like but at the same time I couldn't point to anything good about what I was hearing. Listened to it again and the weird feeling that I might like it was gone. Completely gone.
Starts pretty good and just gets better and more interesting. This is perfect for fans of Polvo or the kind of obnoxious people who will tell you that the guitars in At The Drive In's Relationship of Command are out of tune with the air of someone who uncovered the hidden secrets of Rock'n'Roll. I am both of these people.
Surprising choice (had expected Bakesale, one of the most popular records on 90s university campuses?) In the 90s Lou Barlow (as Sentridoh) and Prince were alike, releasing big selections of songs without proper quality control. However, as Sebadoh, on Sebadoh III - B&S - Bakesale ..certainly not the case. I like Bakesale (5) and Sebadoh III (5) a bit more, but rate B&S above Harmacy (4). Contributions of Gaffney and Loewenstein are as always uneven, but on B&S I would say things are generally fine. In fact, my favourite three songs are Soul and Fire (B), Happily Divided (L) and Think (B), but Bouquet for a Siren (G) and Sister (L) are also excellent. 4.5 (due to a couple of weak songs) -> 5
Skönt lo-fi sound. Ganska likt Dinosaur Jr vilket inte är så konstigt eftersom Lou Barlow därifrån är med även här. Det är lite för ojämnt med ett gäng usla låtar, men Sacred Attention och Bouquet for a Siren är otroligt bra.
Interesting, great indie rock feel, but I'm not sure any of the songs really hooked me.
Pretty unique and interesting take on a classic 90s indie sound, artistic dissonance, all kinds of experimental guitar sounds, blending of genres. A little out there musically but solid as an experimental project
An intriguingly eclectic batch of songs from the aftermath of the grunge boom in 1993. Sebadoh bring the goods as well as the strange and it should be appreciated for just how well-woven it can be. Favorites: Soul and Fire, Two Years Two Days, Happily Divided, Elixir is Zog, Homemade, Forced Love, No Way Out.
Ja, punten voor sebadoh, niet het volle pond, ik bijt namelijk op mijn lip om niet te zeggen dat "andere albums...". Dan kom ik misschien wel als een zeurpiet over..
a little too angsty for my taste but still really enjoyable regardless - 8/10
If you had asked me a day ago who Lou Barlow is I could have told you he was in Sebadoh, Dinosaur Jr. and Folk Implosion. Of the three, the only one of those bands I've never listened to though is Sebadoh. Not sure how that happened. What a weird experience this album is. There was more that one tune that had me smashing that skip button pretty quickly. And yet... AND YET! We gotta talk about "Homemade." Holy shit. Go back and listen to that one if you let it just pass over you without paying much attention to it. Because that might be the best 90s era emo song I've never remotely heard of before. Like hall of fame level. I've listened to it three times already and it's going on a playlist. So what I've concluded is that when this band is a little more restrained, a little more quiet, and a little sad... I am a Sebadoh fan. "Happily Divided" is great. "Sister" and "Cliche" I liked a lot. Gimme "Think" all day long. But "Elixir is Zog"? "No Way Out?" Hard pass. I can't with the lo-fi spazz out stuff. The songs that sound basically like Dinosaur Jr. without Mascis on guitar aren't cutting it, man. And that stinks. Once we finish this list twenty-four years from now if someone asks me to name a record from it that had the highest highs and lowest lows, all on the same album... my answer might be this one.
Some of the heavier songs and the more punk-rock ones are good, but the rest of the album is generic alternative.
Really enjoyed this, some of it sounds like early Biffy, or gentle Nirvana, but it is still entirely its own thing. A band I plan to seek out more from.
Suprised me in a good way. I've listened quite a few 90's rock albums through here, but none of them had stand out like this one until now. fav track: Homemade
I over looked this at the time. A lot of interesting material on here.
A little bit of Bauhaus. Has that Boston - The Feelies - vibe. Fits in my wheelhouse
This listener is a sucker for indie rock, and this album did not disappoint at all. Granted, after some time the search for indie rock tends to dwindle as a few indies grow up and join the so-called mainstream, but this one from 1993 is a very welcome throwback to the less complicated, the more intentional creation of independent rock. Warm instruments, restrained drums, melodic vocals, dare it be called 'emo', no, this was better than emo. It is what emo should have stayed being, good writing and enjoyable to listen and relate, not some whiney-complain-y mess. This was a neat surprise, a perfect album for less than energetic days, just a really good listen.
If you only listen to mainstream, commercial music then this album would be easily dismissed. The sound is lo-fi, the instruments sound out of tune at times and the singing isn't strong. Lou Barlow (formerly of Dino Jr), isn't seeking commercial success or accolades for his music, instead he delivers some raw, heartfelt music that could be considered indie, alternative, or just plain weird, but it's the kind of music I've come to appreciate and I'm glad this list acknowledges musicians and bands from outside the "norm". Bubble And Scrape was actually recorded in a professional studio instead of "home-recorded", so this would be considered a more polished work compared to previous albums. I like it, we need more bands like Sebadoh and musicians like Lou Barlow that push the boundaries of quality music instead of the bland radio-friendly schlock we have to endure most of the time.
Really like Sebadoh and have been listening to them for years. Soul and Fire is a banger and the rest of the album is a bit of a rollercoaster from mellow to frantic. I think I prefer Bakesale but still great album
Album starts very weird and extremely disjointed, but it gets better. Those first few tracks I didn't really enjoy but in the end it's a yes from me and they've pulled through hah. At the end album gets weird again! Saved tracks: Fantastic Disaster, Happily Divided, Sister
This shit should have been huge in 1993. My hunch is the rock press was too enamored with the Billy Corgans, Eddie Vedders and Kurt Cobains to even notice this album. I was working for a college radio station at the time and even I have no memory of this, the definition of flying under the radar.
That was awesome. It's noisy, sludgy, gloopy and yucky. It's like somebody took a regular grunge band, trapped them in a steel shack in the middle of the desert and recorded them through a Speak&Spell toy. The musical equivalent of CCTV footage.
I’ve always enjoyed the Barlow-led songs of Dinosaur Jr. I don’t enjoy him any less in Sebadoh. Bubble And Scrapes ranges from the frantic and hysterical, “Fantastic Disaster” and “No Way Out”, to absolute pieces of beauty like “Soul and Fire” and “Think (Let Tomorrow Bee”.
Very enjoyable indie record which is not afraid to be gritty and dissonant. Barlow is great as always.
I like Sebadoh a lot and generally in the order Barlow > Loewenstein > Gaffney (although the mix is definitely an added value). For that reason later albums are preferred, yet this one is much more than ok.
- Girl Band by moment (noise rock with focus on voice ) - Duster by moment ( slacker rock ) - Some strong tracks but some really bland - Guitar is p cool ngl - 7.6
homemade och emma get wild gillade jag. Vissa låtar är helt usla. Svårt mellan en tvåa och en trea. Men generellt så har dom ett gött sound som gör att det får bli en trea.
Uusi tuttavuus, ja levyn alku olikin lupauksia herättävää, Pearl Jam -tyyppistä grungefiilistelyä. Eteenpäin mennessä meno muuttui raskaammaksi ja sekavammaksi. Osa biiseistä oli oikein kelvollisia, osa vähemmän. Peruskolmonen.
Fun Sub Pop sound. A little yelly for me. A little Elliott Smithy, though.
Never heard of this band before but I don’t mind grudge. This album is decent so far
I think I've listened to some other Sebadoh album previously that gave me the impression they were intolerably twee potheads, but this sounded like more straight ahead indie rock. Didn't leave much of an impression on me at first listen, so went back for a second listen to pick out a fave track ("Sacred Attention", I reckon) and perhaps it is actually pretty above average indie rock? Gonna give it 3 stars for now, but I suspect more listens would get me to bump it to 4...
Bubble and Scrape was a great album. I have been looking to find a good indie rock album recently and this fit the bill perfectly. The instruments here were top-notch. The guitar in Sacred Attention was fantastic. I really enjoyed how different Elixir Is Zog was from the previous songs on the album. The softer tracks like Forced Love and Homemade are great and some of my favourites.
No es mi disco preferido de ellos, sorprende un poco que este aqui. Pero es un buen disco con algunas canciones muy rompedoras. Otras bueno...son demasiada ida de olla.
Good album with the influences it's had on bands that came after clear to hear.
Vähän sekavaa meininkiä, välillä ihan hyvää pop-rockia, mutta sitten taas hetken kuluttua jotain sekoilua ja huutamista. Sekoiluista tuli mieleen Primus.
Quite enjoyed this. Reminded me of several other brands such as Eels and Pixies.
Decent lo-fi rock album. Flows pretty well, nice vibe, few good songs. Nothing outstanding tho, imo
A new band for me, and none of the music sounded familiar. The album squeaks in at an "okay" (3 stars). "Soul and Fire" and "Think (Let Tomorrow Bee)" might be worth a second list, while my least favorite was "Elixir is Zog"
I was introduced to Sebadoh through III whichbI like a lot and Bakesale which I think is brilliant. So I was happy to see them included here and happy the album wasn't either of the two that I already know. Gives me a good excuse to delve deeper into their catalog. Well, Bubble & Scrape is nowhere near the brilliance of Bakesale and not as good as III either. There are some good songs here maybe one great one but too much Jason Lowenstein on this album and not enough Lou Barlow. I'll listen more but first impressions are that this is a 3 🌟 album
An excessively experimental grunge album. Sometimes heavy experimentalization can lead to something amazing (Tom Waits) or something pointlessly tiresome (69 Love Songs). This falls in between. No great tracks, but you could tell they're having fun, taking influences from punk and grunge bands to create pieces that strike as peculiar. Not bad or annoying, but I wouldn't be eager to replay this album or recommend it to anyone anytime soon.
I enjoyed the album, there were some strange and interesting sounds created. I would listen again.
I listened to a fair bit of early Sebadoh but didn’t really get much past III. I Think the earlier material is stronger.
I’m not a fan of grunge but their jangly, discordant sound appealed to me. After a first listen I liked it better than their peers eg Pavement, Dinosaur Jr. Very similar to the Eels too in their softer songs. I also like how they slow down/ speed up the tempo for some songs.
I don’t like every song on here but I do love enough of them to like this as an album
Some really cool stuff. And some really meh stuff. It's pretty good. 6/10
Ah the lo-fi grunge era. This doesn’t pack the pop sensibility of most of what made the Seattle scene so cool , and certainly lacks the punch that Mudhoney and The Melvins had. Still not a terrible listen. Some of the songs are great. Fav tracks : “Sister”
There are some real gems on this grunge alt rock album but it lacks consistency. I get that throw away snippets of ideas is part of the aesthetic - and maybe there is an honesty to that which has merit - but it isn’t as satisfying a listen as other records of the era. This could grow on me.
This was simultaneously a weird and completely standard indie rock album. Most of the tracks sound like stereotypical indie rock from the 1990s but every once in a while there's like a screamo song or something which threw me off. Either way, it wasn't bad but not super notable either. Favs: soul and fire, fantastic disaster
I don't normally enjoy Grunge. But maybe it's the lofi angle that makes it more palatable than the others.
First time I’ve listened to this album and can really hear the influence it has had on a number of subsequent albums. For example the first Snow Patrol record. A little bit patchy and maybe too many songs but has its moments
I liked half of this, but then it would go a little too far... I can see they were trying to push boundaries but it went from interesting ideas to just unpleasant listening. You can hear where this has influenced a lot of other acts though.
3.6 - These Massachusetts boys were playing near home so I decided to check them out knowing next to nothing about their catalog, except that they were connected to the 90s grunge zeitgeist that I grew up on. But they were unexpectedly cerebral, utilizing non-standard guitar tunings, math-rocky time signatures and strange chord progressions. Towards the end of their set, I had a mild panic attack and had to exit the venue in a hurry because I just couldn't make sense of the music and it was putting me on edge. I'd say this album displays many similar characteristics as I experienced that evening. For me this album is hit-or-miss. On one hand, I love heartfelt ballads like "Soul and Fire", "Homemade" and "Think (Let Tomorrow Bee). But these sweet moments are spiked with cacophony, like on "Fantastic Disaster" and "Elixir Is Zog." I've read that this is a breakup album, and I think the decision to incorporate equal doses of attraction and repulsion, feels true.