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Last week’s Dismemberment Plan live-show MP3s once again got us all mushy on the ’90s D.C.-rock scene, but really: It doesn’t take much to get us to prattling on and on about how great it was back then, and we’re about two more Dischord posts away from being told never to post a Clinton-era indie-rock song again. But while we can still get away with it, we’ll gladly make the case that that art-pop-rockers Shudder To Think was one of the most underrated artists from that time, despite the fact that that band scored a big-label deal and opening for the likes of the Smashing Pumpkins; one of the greatest joys of seeing them live was watching non-fans gawk at singer Craig Wedren’s improbably high-pitched voice, which was put to especially good use on the tracks below:
Shudder To Think – Red House [MP3, link expired]
Shudder To Think – 9 Fingers On You [MP3, link expired]
Shudder To Think – Earthquakes Come Home [MP3, link expired]
X-FRENCH T-SHIRT is one of the best songs of the 1990s.
I used to listen to Pony Express Record so much when I was a pizza delivery guy. It’s got a narcotic effect that dulls the pain of realizing your job sucks.
I’m disappointed that none of this sounds like the theme from Stella.
*relates story about getting into argument with indie-rapper during stage banter about shudder to think discography*
Their cover of Crosstown Traffic is also pretty boss.
Shudder To Think’s first LP came out to mixed response in my high school – it was a litmus test for fans of Dischord Records. At that point, Dischord could do no wrong (Fugazi was putting out their first EPs at this time as well). This album was nothing like anything Dischord had ever released before. It felt mildly gay to a dyed in the wool (post)punk rocker. But the album grew on you if you got past the harshness of the first dozen listens.
“Day Ditty” is my favorite and probably one of the best love songs ever written. If we weren’t such chicken shit conformists like our parents, we would’ve had this song as our first dance at our wedding…
I first heard Shudder to Think opening for the Smashing Pumpkins at the Warfield. Needless to say, the crowd was there for Today and Disarm and was not in the least interested in the weirdly operatic dissonance on display. I wasn’t either until a friend forced me past the first dozen listens. Pony Express Record is now among my top 10 all time favorite records. As for Red House, I actually prefer the 50,000 BC version.
Pony Express Record: best album of the 1990s. And 50,000 BC is underrated.
Do not be lured in by Craig Wedren’s recent solo album, though. (shudder, for real)
You guys are exactly my age, aren’t you? I wore “Pony Express Record” out, and even got my lazy ass out to meet Wedren and company when they did a local in-store.
@k-rock: agreed k-rock. Dischord was a strong buy at that point, but people started to balk then. But Shudder did some fine shows.