1992-1996

I don't know what '90s slowcore bug bit the traditionally soul based (yet still excellent) Numero Group record label but damn...I'm glad it did. This is the second slowcore boxset I buy from these guys, the first one being the excellent Codeine box, and just like that one I have nothing but praise for this set, especially now that there's a CD-only option for the CD loyalists out there (yes, we do exist). The art design, layout, write-up, hell even the box itself are all of outstanding quality. As for the music...well...Bedhead were sort of an outlier to the whole slowcore phenom...the hyper lush interlocking interplay of their three clean-toned Fender guitars made sure their music was never as stark or imposing as some of their brethren, while still being as majestic and gaining a whole lot on the melody department. The fact that they had a couple of more upbeat numbers with fuzzy distortion on all their records pushed them a bit closer to some of the VU-influenced fellow travellers of the day (think Yo La Tengo and especially Pavement) but make no mistake, Bedhead stands alone amidst other 90s bands.Think the VU's self-titled's easy going melodicism and night time ambience mixed with "Spiderland" type angularity and complexity (those interlocking guitar parts sound elegant, almost classically composed, especially on the last 2 records, the first one being more of an ultra-catchy indie rock record) with some of the best clean guitar tones EVAH, all rendered in warm analogue, progressively more Albini-ish production (to the point that they recorded their 3rd and last with Albini himself) and you'll get an idea of what Bedhead 1992-1998 offers in spades...3 of the best guitar records of the 90s or hell...ever.So score another victory for the resident slowcore dweebs over at Numero Group...I only wish they could get their mitts on the rights to the last 3 Talk Talk albums 'cause I know they'd do them justice...I'd die a happy slowcore dweeb in that case...wink wink.

Fantastic music, clean and slick packaging and a book outlining the history of the band. Essential for anyone who is venturing into the genre of slowcore.

I remember playing these guys on WXDU in the exact period of this box. I remember being blown away by the laconic openings leading to the most amazing climaxes. I loved the pre-internet era (perhaps to Bedhead's deficit), but given I didn't know a thing about them added to the amazing mystique. Now that I've read the tremendous booklet included with this set, I'm even more convinced of their genius and dedication to craft. I'm hoping to track down all those 7" I played long ago that moved a jaded 19 year old...

This is a great collection of songs, packaged in a nice set. Not many of these are available, so grab it while you can.

Great box of a great band!

Beautiful indie rock at it's top!

Bedhead, two decades on, holds up very well. They emerged in the indie scene of the early 90s, but they avoided trends and their musical range, perfectionism, lyrical depth, and hushed vocals make them a band that had a distinctive approach, apart from louder or trendier outfits now forgotten. Here, all of their recordings are arranged, first their albums, and then from singles/ep's.You may own, as I do, Bedhead's original three full-length discs, and maybe their two ep's, but the rarities here--the pair of singles from their earliest stage, in 1992, show the band in a grittier, if slightly more familiar early-90s indie sound. It's great, showing the band's inherent strengths in melody, but the albums, getting more and more assured from 1994 to 1996 to 1998, reveal Bedhead at its finest. Matt Gallaway's extensive essay in this compilation tells of his own love of this Dallas-based quintet, and the mastering by Matthew Barnhart adds clarity to the 45 songs. You hear more space, and the squeaks, hums, and feedback add intimacy to the vocals of Matt Kadane. With his brother Bubba, drummer Trini Martinez, guitarist Kris Wheat, and bassist Tench Coxe, the intelligent lyrics about mortality, pain, and belief or its lack play off the varied music--often spare, sometimes rocking--memorably.Adding value to the compilation, unreleased songs, a cover of "Golden Brown" by The Stranglers and "Intents + Purposes" and the fact that the remastering brings out even more of the texture of these challenging but rewarding songs make this a recommended purchase for Bedhead fans. Hearing this with good headphones, even the streaming pays off. I can only imagine the vinyl version!