Eureka

Plenty of indie/lo-fi material from the early '90s hasn't lasted the test of time, but there are exceptions, and the Eureka EP definitely shows the Grifters having something going for them. A seven-song collection, it starts with one of the group's most beautiful songs, "Eureka I.V.," sounding something like a cross between late Talk Talk and burnt alt-country fuzz and twang. It's a wonderful, mournful way to start, and other songs like "Slow Day for the Cleaner" and "Founder's Day Parade," the latter featuring the fine guest guitar of John Stivers, fit in the same downbeat vein. Other songs such as "Whatever Happened to Felix Cole" and "Banjo" tend toward a more straight-up ragged-but-right rock-out sprawl that'll keep the GBV fans happy without sounding like a rip-off of said group (the queasy late Beatles-styled "X-Ray Hip" is particularly great). Points as well for the fun liner notes — "after much touring, little band practice, a new young 'un, 38 Pavement comparisons...."