Complete Discography Sampler

Post-hardcore/emo
Moss Icon’s recordings in the late 80s and early 90s could be considered some of the earliest examples of the genres above, and now Temporary Residence has brought them back into the light of day. Despite a very punk attitude and lots of great screaming from frontman Johnathan Vance, this is pretty convoluted stuff that sometimes even points toward Slint. Both cathartic and intellectual—very enjoyable. If you have 11 minutes, play 6. If not, 1, 4, 8, 9 also come highly recommended. FCC WARNING: 2, 3, 7.

1. *(2:17)—Mid-tempo and heavy. Great, concise example of Vance’s passionate speaking-then-screaming style.
2. (3:10)—TOO MANY FCCs. Really good, though.
3. (4:57)—FCC WARNING (f***). Multiple parts and tempo changes. Lots of heavy riffage and some screaming.
4. *(4:34)—Medium-fast and driving. One-chord punk hypnosis.
5. (3:53)—Medium-fast but swampier and more subdued.
6. **(11:24)—Starts slow, heavy, and pensive. Pretty guitar interplay in the middle. Speeds up and morphs into punk incantation and builds, builds, builds until it explodes gloriously, screaming and all. OFF THE CHAIN.
7. (2:49)—FCC WARNING (s***). Fast, searing, catchy. Never really explodes.
8. *(5:25)—Mid-tempo and very funky. Gets heavier over time, but the punk intensity remains at a simmer.
9. *(4:43)—Mid-tempo and loud, but comparably positive and serene (at least in terms of lyrical content).