American Analog Set - Through the 90s: Singles and Unreleased
(Emperor Jones)

Some of the best songs here are actually just shorter versions or alternate takes of the better songs on the band's three albums. Wait, now, don't start complaining just yet. Just because the songs are shorter doesn't mean they pack less bang for the buck. In fact, when I heard the version of "Magnificent Seventies" on "From Our Living Room to Yours," I was a bit disappointed that the ten minute long album version seemed a bit lacksadaisical and overly meandering when compared to the compact and (comparatively) peppy single version. The other alternate takes ("Diana Slowburner II" and "On My Way" from The Fun of Watching Fireworks) are similarly compact and equally worth hearing, whether you know the marathon-length album version by heart or not. The different length versions end up having totally different effects on the listener; the short versions end up just being mellow pop songs with delicate, soft melodies and sounds, whereas the length versions (on the proper albums) fit better with the epic scale, leading to more drones and incorporating more dramatic effects and noises.

The rest of the songs included come from random places in the band's history. While the shorter songs from the singles provide a more pop version of the band's sound, a couple tracks showcase the bands ability to drone on. According to the liner notes, impromptu recording sessions are often named "Incidental," and "Living Room Incidental #2" provides a short but effective drone, similar to the band's mega-drone EP Late One Sunday (which is actually retoolings of "Living Room Incidental #3" and "#4"). Also lending themselves to the drone are five live songs that were intended to be a 10" but was never released. Four of the five songs are album tracks, but the live sound has a very soft, soothing aura that the band's proper albums capture well but not quite this well. Another EP that never saw the light of day contributes two tracks: the shorter version of "On My Way" and "Thin Fingers." To top it all off, the band includes a 40 second dedication to their life's blood, their inspiration, and their reason for being, "Dr. Pepper."

While an album full of shorter versions and live songs doesn't sound like the most exciting of releases, Through the 90s compiles some of American Analog Set's best material. It is both a must have for fans of the band (with extensive liner notes detailing much of the history of the songs and therefore the band) and an adequate place for newcomers to start (with shorter versions of several of the band's best songs) while the band prepares for their new full length (Tiger Style) coming out later this year.

jim steed 2001 june 8