Screaming Trees early records
I honestly think Screaming Trees' early albums are criminally underrated. Both the vocals and the instrumental work are incredible, and they definitely deserve way more recognition than they get.
Their debut album, Clairvoyance, is a raw and energetic bridge between psychedelic rock and proto-grunge. Mark Lanegan’s voice was already showing incredible potential, and the band’s muddy, distorted guitar tones gave it a unique charm. It’s a hidden gem that set the stage for everything that followed.
Even If and Especially When is where the band really found their signature sound. The melodic yet fuzzy guitar work, combined with Lanegan’s increasingly soulful and raspy vocals, makes this record a masterpiece of late 80s underground rock. It’s criminally overlooked.
Invisible Lantern cranks up the energy and heavy guitar riffs. It shows the band at their most aggressive and psychedelic, with mesmerizing instrumental passages and powerful vocal delivery. It easily stands alongside the best underground releases of its era.
Buzz Factory is the peak of their SST Records era. The instrumental chemistry between the Conner brothers and drummer Mark Pickerel is top-notch, with Lanegan’s vocals tying it all together. It’s a dark, captivating, and tight album that deserved massive mainstream success.