Mic City Sons
In retrospect, the third and final full-length by defunct Portland, Oregon, band Heatmiser, 1996'sMic City Sons, is not just the sound of a band pulled in two directions and on the verge of breakup, it's a blueprint for the late-'90s Northwest "emo-core" sound. This pop-punk act always showed a love for refined-sugar-sweet pop music andBig Star-derived melodies, but it really comes to the fore here--both on renowned singer/songwriterElliott Smith's songs and those of Neil Gust. (Sam Coomes ofQuasiplays bass and sings on the record, as well.) This is a schizophrenic album. Songs veer from peppy anthems to total-downer white-guy angst; luckily, both are pulled off with finesse and real emotional investment. Fans of folkie Smith working backwards through his catalog will be surprised to hear Smith rock out so hard on tunes such as "Get Lucky"; other songs have since become staples of his solo sets.Mic Cityis among Smith's best records and functions as a swell swan song for this under-appreciated group.--Mike McGonigal