And The Horse They Rode In On

Dave Pirner and his bandmates show their development on this record as they begin to balance raw punk vigor with a developing sense of melody. It marks the period when the group moved from their initial garage-based style toward a more refined sound. The material captures the band during a phase of artistic growth.

Songwriting on the record remains sincere and avoids pretension. It provides a record of the Minneapolis music community just before a major industry shift altered the landscape. Throughout the tracks, the band performs with an evident hunger, playing primarily for the craft itself rather than commercial gain.