Slacker Treasure

The Freed Man
Sebadoh
Domino, 2007
4.5 stars

Originally released on cassette in 1989, this beautiful reissue actually came out six months ago - though after 18 years, time is hardly of the essence. Named in response to Lou Barlow's newfound freedom from Dinosaur Jr, The Freed Man is a lo-fi masterpiece. It's the sound of a bunch of romantic slacker kids smoking pot and abusing their instruments in the garage. Some of it is truly great, some of it is just awful, but when it's all pasted together it becomes a kind of historic artifact; a time capsule for the late '80s.

Artwork: A

Published in mX, Thursday 13 December 2007.