10 Grunge Albums That Deserve More Love
4. Paw - Dragline
A lot of albums - not specific to grunge - cement themselves as undeniable classics for a myriad of reasons. Whether that be their predominant focus on some type of social commentary, the way the album is structured (see: To Pimp a Butterfly for more), or just standing out in a sea of mediocrity, which today would be anything considered listenable.
The appropriately named Paw, although not considered a classic band by any means, certainly adheres to the final aspect. How so? You belligerently enquire. Well, it's lead single is about the lead singer's deceased dog. It doesn't get any less mainstream than that now, does it? Or maybe it didn't in the '90s, at least...
Far from the adolescent anguish of Smells Like Teen Spirit and the destitute helplessness of Hole's Doll Parts, Paw's chosen topics of songwriting are insanely nuanced in this self-deprecating, niche genre. Their combination of screeching vocals and upbeat optimism make the band and their sumptuously unique Dragline distinguished in the endless abyss of all too familiar, almost farcical music.
Of course, they have the ubiquitous drums, electric - bass guitar combo and the tortured vocal styling's of the genre, but it proved their eclectic formula of giving grunge a more optimistic sound on their stellar debut album belonged solely to them.