Bubble and Scrape (Bonus Version)

Album Review

Bubble & Scrape is the last Sebadoh record to feature Eric Gaffney, and accordingly, his contributions are not so much songs as tantrums; blistering rants like "Telecosmic Alchemy" and "Elixir Is Zog" offer much in the way of dissonant noise but little in the way of substance. Still, the album has much to recommend it — not only does Jason Loewenstein emerge here as an increasingly adept songwriter, even approaching the quiet beauty of Barlow's acoustic songs with tunes like "Happily Divided,", but Lou Barlow truly hits his stride: both "Soul and Fire" and "Think (Let Tomorrow Bee)" are sterling additions to one of the most impressive catalogs of love songs on the planet, while "Cliche" stings with bitter intensity. Bubble and Scrape is a rich, diverse, and terrific record, even with its occasional dull spots. [Domino's 2008 reissue adds fifteen bonus tracks including songs released on singles, unreleased takes on songs from the album (most notably Barlow's acoustic demo of "Soul and Fire") and rememberances from all three band members in the liner notes.] ~ Jason Ankeny & Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi