6. The Sebadoh (1999)

Long a dark spot on the band’s discography, and the record that ostensibly inspired the act to break up for a long stretch, The Sebadoh doesn’t really get its due. It was the first album with Pollard behind the drum kit, which led to a much more visceral band dynamic, as he instinctively locked into Lowenstein’s bass notes. The groove-driven “Flame” is one of the more spirited tracks in Barlow’s entire oeuvre, as he desperately begs, “I don’t wanna ride flame,” as if it’s a one way ticket to hell. The Lowenstein sung “It’s All You” kicks off the album with a brilliant clarion guitar riff worthy of Nirvana.

The record loses some speed on the turgid “Tree,” which Barlow wrote for his sister’s wedding, and probably would’ve been better served to have left it behind at the reception. But highlights abound — “Love Is Stronger,” while a textbook Barlow weeper, is rescued by his wittily self-aware lyrics and an uncannily gorgeous chorus. Even “Colorblind” stretched the confines of the band’s sound ever so slightly, delving into the topic of racial prejudice on an eminently catchy guitar driven track that has a passing resemblance to early-’80s L.A. punk act X. The band always felt as though they’d gotten a raw deal on its reviews and commercial reception, so perhaps it’s time for a reevaluation? Time has treated this album very, very well.