Ah, the late 80s/early 90s. This is a textbook (textrecord? that looks and sounds so wrong) case of what a small sliver of those years sounded like. That sliver would certainly expand and encompass a lot more territory, but 1990's Ben Hur captures that transition from hardcore to not quite math but math-y prog-like rock quite well. Shades of Rapeman, Jesus Lizard, Bastro, Crain, Shellac and yes, Slint, are apparent in this record. I heard Bitch Magnet years after I'd heard those other bands, even though they preceded many of them, and they now seem to be kind of a footnote in the evolutionary history of post-rock. Fair enough, I guess, this record probably won't blow your mind if you're familiar with the other bands I mentioned, but it's solid and enjoyable throughout, and if it sounds like a product of its time just remember these guys were in the front end of that time, and not chasing an already well-defined sound. Deluxe reissue/reappraisal coming soon?
Lead singer and bassist Sooyoung Park went on to form Seam with Mac from Superchunk, Orestes Morfin (holla) drummed for Walt Mink, a band I have no recollection of ever hearing, and you know what happened to David Grubbs. Bastro was up next for him, and though BM didn't have the chops of that band, they were already pointing in that direction. Cool cover art and a bonus 7-inch add extra joy.
Link hijacked from this guy.
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