en Mic

In retrospect, the third and final full-length by defunct Portland, Oregon, band Heatmiser, 1996's Mic City Sons, is not just the sound of a band pulled in two directions and on the verge of breakup, it's a blueprint for the late-'90s Northwest "emo-core" sound. This pop-punk act always showed a love for refined-sugar-sweet pop music and Big Star-derived melodies, but it really comes to the fore here–both on renowned singer/songwriter Elliott Smith's songs and those of Neil Gust. (Sam Coomes of Quasi plays bass and sings on the record, as well.) This is a schizophrenic album. Songs veer from peppy anthems to total-downer white-guy angst; luckily, both are pulled off with finesse and real emotional investment. Fans of folkie Smith working backwards through his catalog will be surprised to hear Smith rock out so hard on tunes such as "Get Lucky"; other songs have since become staples of his solo sets. Mic City is among Smith's best records and functions as a swell swan song for this under-appreciated group.