*keepers-5*3.46
Though probably not the most consistent set, the more memorable tracks make the record far from a throwaway. Though a bit silly for the genre, "Do You Like Me"**** is one of these, as are the angular riffs in "Bed For The Scraping"**** mirrored in the rapid fire verses. "Latest Disgrace"**** starts at a more menacing simmer, which expands into riffs alternating between ham-fisted and melodically slippery during the "come on and take your medicine" chorus. The middle section of the album sags a bit, leaving the hooks for sparse Gang Of Four rhythmic exercises. For instrumentals, "Combination Lock" is a melodic but safe, while the weird howling keyboard parts of "Version" are adventurous but unpleasantly off-putting. Musically, "Target"**** isn't breaking any new ground since Repeater, but the hooks drive this critique of the hype of grunge, "I realize that I hate the sound of guitars a thousand grudging young millionaires forcing silence sucking sound". "Back To Base" and "Downed City" aren't great, but would have been fun rockers to play live, and closing "Long Distance Runner"**** has the winning combination of the angular and discordant with the melodic and anthemic.
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