The Folk Implosion - Self Titled EP (1996)

The Folk Implosion has always been Lou Barlow's respite from his day job Sebadoh, and as such generally shuns the alternative rock trappings of that band to favor a more intricate sound. The first two songs (originally issued as the Palm of My Hand 7") are prime examples, his perfect balance of bubblegum pop and lo-fi murk on full display. The rest of the record, originally issued as the Electric Idiot EP, is divided between "traditionals" and so-called "experimentals." The traditionals are great pop songs that rank among the Folk Implosion's best while the experimentals are somewhat failed attempts at the avant-garde.