C (Remastered 2023 Reissue)

Slow-burning, unhurried, slightly gothic sepia daydreams. Ornate drawling slowcore, originally released in 1996 and now remastered and reissued by Numero Group (who've also reissued Duster, Karate, and Unwound). Lumbering blues numbers suddenly become romantic outbursts with sweeping violin melodies. Closer to grunge than a lot of other 90s slowcore bands (think Alice in Chains's "Jar of Flies," maybe?), but also wistful and autumnal. RIYL Codeine, Karate, Wednesday, Songs: Ohia, Acetone, Califone, Idaho. Favorites: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7. No FCCs detected.

1. *(7:01)—Very slow, mournful, like a country record at half-speed. Loud, crunchy guitars and dramatic violin enter in the second half.
2. *(4:58)—Mid-tempo, gentle but driving, with low strings. The closest thing to a lead single.
3. *(10:22)—Mid-tempo, with a complex, halting rhythm. Pretty, with a couple dissonant sections before a long, galloping final build.
4. *(3:28)—Slow, soft, very pretty. Nice slide guitar.
5. (7:41)—Instrumental. Molasses slow, spooky, with bursts of fuzz guitar.
6. (6:56)—Mid-tempo 5/4 and 7/4 grooves with some banjo. Easygoing throughout. Long minimal end.
7. *(8:44)—Medium-slow, brooding and dynamic, with gorgeous swells and high violin.
8. (5:58)—On the faster side but low-key, with choruses that feel particularly kin to Alice in Chains.
9. (2:13)—Instrumental. Piano, low bowed strings.
10. (8:17)—Medium-slow, slightly spooky. Loud, fuzzed out ending. Fades into 11.
11. (1:02)—Lo-fi a cappella rendition of an old hymn.