The news that Merge was releasing a retrospective of Big Dipper's non major-label output raised eyebrows around the indie rock community. There were certainly bands with higher profiles, bands that left more of a mark commercially, and groups that had more influence on the music that followed. Big Dipper fall short on all these counts. Funny thing, though -- after listening to Supercluster: The Big Dipper Anthology, it's easy to understand why Merge decided the group was worth rediscovering. Simply put, they were really ...
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The news that Merge was releasing a retrospective of Big Dipper's non major-label output raised eyebrows around the indie rock community. There were certainly bands with higher profiles, bands that left more of a mark commercially, and groups that had more influence on the music that followed. Big Dipper fall short on all these counts. Funny thing, though -- after listening to Supercluster: The Big Dipper Anthology, it's easy to understand why Merge decided the group was worth rediscovering. Simply put, they were really good. Their songs are brainy, hooky, and weird, delivered in a jumpy, hyperactive style that echoes great guitar bands like Television, Talking Heads, and Mission of Burma. Each of the three albums compiled here (1987's Boo-Boo EP, that same year's Heavens, and 1988's Craps) are filled with songs that sound like college radio staples, some that are instantly recognizable 20 years later, like "All Going Out Together," "Younger Bums," and "Ron Klaus Wrecked His House." The band could rock out very convincingly (check "Wet Weekend" or one of Kurt Cobain's favorite songs, "You're Not Patsy"), jangle like a frat rock version of the Go-Betweens ("Meet the Witch," "Hey! Mr. Lincoln"), or be downright inspirational ("A Song to Be Beautiful"). At their best on songs like "Faith Healer" and the truly lovely "Bonnie," they were making music on par with the best bands of the era -- music that, apart from the too-bright drum sound endemic to the late '80s, still stands up in the early 2000s and wouldn't sound too far out of place when played alongside such similarly off-kilter guitar bands as Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Wolf Parade, and Walker Kong. Along with their excellent early records plus some key bonus tracks (like the aforementioned "Patsy" and a demo of "Ron Klaus"), the collection adds a third disc of tracks recorded by the band after its disastrous tour of duty with Epic, which produced one album, 1990's Slam, and effectively wrecked the group's career. These songs are uniformly good, but not up to par with the first two discs. Think of this disc as a nice bonus that's worth hearing once. You'll go back to the first two discs much more often. Thanks have to go to Merge for digging up the band and presenting the music in such a nice package, complete with the bandmembers' song-by-song commentary in the liner notes. ~ Tim Sendra, Rovi
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Add this copy of Supercluster: the Big Dipper Anthology (3-Cd Set) to cart. $39.95, very good condition, Sold by 86 Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Maplewood, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Merge Records.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Size: 5x0x4; 3-CD set with booklet; case shows only light shelf-wear; tiny ding to booklet; discs are mint/near mint; because we care that your order arrives in the condition stated, we have additionally sealed the case in bubblewrap for added protection during shipment.
Add this copy of Supercluster: the Big Dipper Anthology to cart. $46.00, fair condition, Sold by Service First Media rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Taylorsville, KY, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Merge .
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, booklet, and back artwork. Disc(s), case, booklet, and back artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
