10 Obscure Grunge Albums You Need To Listen To
4. Veruca Salt - American Thighs
Veruca Salt’s debut is symptomatic of grunge’s place in the modern musical pantheon. While acclaimed at the time, with the exception of “Seether”, the tracks from the record receive little airplay in modern times, despite being a radio-ready collection of tunes delivered with real clarity and charisma.
The band’s key strength is its vocalists and songwriters Nina Gordan and Louise Post, both of whom have an air of detached cool on tracks like "Spiderman '79", but can just as easily switch to a more forceful style on the aforementioned “Seether” or present real vulnerability on the lovely, harmony-drenched “Fly”.
The prolific ‘90s producer Brad Wood gives the album a balance and sheen that sets it apart from many of its contemporaries, pushing the frontwomen to the front and ensuring the guitar work never sounds sloppy.
Third single "Number One Blind" best demonstrates the musicianship key to the album’s success, with a guitar solo that sounds like an instant classic dominating the second half of the track. It’s a great collection of tunes that deserves greater status.