Bubble & Scrape

Music

All three members contributed songs: co-founders Gaffney and Lou Barlow, and Jason Loewenstein. Unlike earlier Sebadoh albums, Barlow's contributions are mostly electric, except for the acoustic duet with Swirlies vocalist Seana Carmody, "Think (Let Tomorrow Bee)." This was the first Sebadoh album recorded entirely in a professional studio, moving away from lo-fi home recordings. It features longer songs and more sophisticated arrangements, foreshadowing their later polished work.

Reception

Critics praised Barlow compositions such as "Soul and Fire" and "Think (Let Tomorrow Bee)," and noted Loewenstein's development as a songwriter. In 2000, NME ranked it #9 on its "Top 30 Heartbreak Albums" list. The 2008 reissue received strong reviews; Matthew Fiander of PopMatters wrote that it benefits from a second life, and Amy Granzin of Pitchfork Media called it possibly the band's holistic best album, marking a shift from four-track recordings to well-crafted indie rock. The album appears in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Did You Know?

• Bubble & Scrape was reissued by Domino in May 2008 with 15 extra tracks.
• The album was performed live in its entirety at Koko in London in May 2008 as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties-curated Don't Look Back series.
• It was also performed in full at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago in July 2008.